Recovering From Failure

Sermon Thrust: Your response to failure will determine your future course in life.

Introduction:

There are so many things that we can’t control.

Many times we fall victim to somebody else’s negligence or sin.

But that’s not always the case. There are time when we make bad decisions and must suffer the consequences for our actions. But this is just a part of life. Everyone makes wrong choices. Sometimes because you have misinformation or someone lied to you. There was no way to make the right choice.

It's one thing when plans change from uncontrollable circumstances, but what about when you cause the change?

Failure and misfortune are inevitable in this life. Your response to failure will determine your future course of life.

Some take a downward spiral of bad choices that leads to a worse situation.

Some recalculate, learn from their mistakes and chart a new path of success.

To recalculate you need a few things:

You need someone to guide you in a new way and new thought.

You need truthful and trustworthy information you can count on.

You need a game plan of hope in which you can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

How do we navigate out of a place of failure back to victory again?

To illustrate this point this morning we are going to look at the Peter

Matthew 26:31–32 ESV

31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.”

Matthew 26:33–35 ESV

33 Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.

Proverbs 16:18 ESV

18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Arrogance produces a false sense of security.

Peter's feelings toward the Lord were no match for the trial.

Radical love for Jesus

Overconfidence in himself.

Blind spots in your character and faith.

Humility is always a safer place than boasting.

Jesus foretold of struggles to come.

Jesus assured Peter the prediction would come true.

Peter led others into a false sense of security.

Stress reveals your blind spots.

Stress is applied pressure.

We feel stress when the pressures of life weigh us down.

Pressure comes from relationships and responsibilities.

Pressure can cause fear and anxiety and even death if not managed well.

One of the most significant accomplishments in life is learning to deal with stress. We see examples of bad stress management through poor communication, drugs, drunkenness, food, adrenalin rushes, sex. The reason these are lousy management tools is they offer only immediate relief. The pressure causing the stress remains unresolved.

Peter experienced stress from uncontrollable circumstances. But his lack of character compounded the stress. In Matthew 26:69-75, we see Peter confronted three times about being with Christ. All three times, Peter denies Him.

Matthew 26:75 ESV

75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

Managing stress in your life

So, How do you remove the pressure points in your life, causing your stress?

Identify the stress point.

Be honest with yourself about what is causing the pressure.

Is it you, someone else, or something else?

Resolve the conflict of responsibilities through prioritization. Ask yourself these questions:

Is it necessary?

Can I give it away?

Do I need to accomplish it today?

Can I procrastinate? If I can procrastinate, is it necessary?

Resolve the conflict of relationships by loving confrontation.

God's design for stress relief is healthy communication.

Isolation allows game planning and clarity for action.

Communication resolves conflict and stress.

Do whatever it takes to bring it to a loving conclusion.

Communicate to ensure feelings are validated.

Forgive when forgiveness is hard.

Humility Brings Restoration

We can't leave the story with Peter weeping under a tree somewhere, which is not the end of the story.

John 21:15–17 ESV

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.

"Peter's arrogance in himself caused his failure, but Christ's confidence in Peter restored him."

Call to Decision

Have you allowed stress to bring out the worst in you?

Do you look around you and see the carnage from broken relationships?

Maybe Jesus is asking you the same question: "Do you love me?"

Your love for Jesus will determine your course of recovery.

James 4:10 ESV

10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.