Using your failures for victory

Matthew Fretwell Aug. 31, 2019

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Throughout God’s story, there have been many biblical “heroes.” Men and women of seemingly great renown, courage and incredible resolve.

Men like David, warriors in battle, leading men to victory against insurmountable odds. Or women like Jael, an apparently ordinary wife with remarkable fortitude and bravery—launching a tent peg through the sleeping enemy (Judges 4:17–22).

Everyone loves stories. Especially stories about overcoming adversity—they’re the feel-good, sort of chicken-soup-for-the-soul stories.

When I reflect upon my life, I know my story. I know that it’s filled with defeats, trials, and sometimes, some wins. I also know that I’m not a hero. In fact, Jesus is the hero of my story. And, if I’m even more transparent, I’ve had way more failures in my life than victorious triumphs.

Failing is not failure. When we learn from our failures and use them for success, those failures can become victories.

They didn’t see that coming

One of my recent devotional readings led me to Joshua and the battle of Ai (Joshua 7- 8). Joshua spies out Ai and organizes a small battalion of 3,000 Israelites to go up to battle against them. However, because of Israel’s hidden sin and idolatry, they flee in defeat.

The people of Israel didn’t see that coming! Their sin was revealed, but the people took action and repented. They refocused and centered their lives upon God.

Afterward, the Lord then encouraged Joshua, “Do not fear and do not be dismayed. Take all the fighting men with you, and arise, go up to Ai. See, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, and his people, his city, and his land.” This time, Joshua used defeat to bring victory.

As in the previous battle when the Israelites fled, Joshua engaged the city of Ai. Once again, the same troops, same battle plan (sort of), so battle looked like defeat.

Joshua had the men flee, but only to draw the enemy out from the city and into the open. The plan worked.

Again, the people of Ai thought that they were routing the Israelites, but as soon as they were outside of the city, Joshua had his men sneak in and burn it to the ground!

The people of Ai didn’t see that coming! Joshua had the enemy surrounded—drawing them out into the open—there was nothing hidden and nowhere for the enemy to go.

Questions to ask 

One thing that I have learned in life—when pride sets in it blurs my vision. Whenever I’m facing defeat, I have to ask probing questions: 

• Is there any hidden sin that I’m not seeing? 
• Am I trying to do things in my power, or for my own glory? 
• Am I trusting in God to be my “dreaded warrior”? 
• How can I use this defeat for success? 
• How can I honor and glorify God with my defeat? 
• What have I learned? 
• Maybe I am building my empire and not God’s? 

Those are just some of the questions I think about. I also ask the Lord to “cleanse my heart,” to “search me and see if there are any wicked ways within me.”

When we confess our sins, our pride, and our motives, it brings the enemy into the open. Our adversary no longer has “ammunition” to use against us. To the enemy, on the outside, we may look the same, but internally we have been renewed through repentance, probing and reflection.

God is now able to use our defeat for victory. As Joshua used defeat for victory, we too can use our failures as springboards to victory. But, the central focus must not on us, but on the grace of God given through Jesus Christ.

Photo source: istock 

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Dr. Matthew Fretwell is a church missiologist, professor, trainer, author, and practitioner. He currently serves on faculty at the Regent University School of Divinity as an Assistant Professor of Practical Theology. He's written ten books and peer-reviewed papers, with a recent three-volume book series entitled, Multiply Jesus (Church Planting, Church revitalization, and Missionary Preparedness). Learn More »

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