June Hunt - Success Through Failure

The printed version of this eBook is the Success Through Failure pamphlet, ISBN-13: 9781596366923

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Success Through Failure
Copyright 2013 Hope For The Heart
All rights reserved.
Published by Aspire Press
An imprint of Hendrickson Publishing Group
Rose Publishing, LLC
P.O. Box 3473
Peabody, Massachusetts 01961-3473 USA
www.HendricksonPublishingGroup.com

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SUCCESS THROUGH FAILURE

JUNE HUNT

• Gives practical advice and Biblical wisdom from June Hunt, a biblical counselor whose award-winning radio program Hope For The Heart is heard on more than 900 radio outlets around the world. For more than 25 years, she has counseled people, offering them hope for todays problems.
• Reveals what successful people do to turn failure into success, by providing practical and bible-based advice on how to let your failures propel you into a better future.
• Explains how God can help you find your passion, how your personality affects how you respond to failure, how to forgive yourself and others when things dont go right, and more.

Dear friend,

Looking at someones life experiences to determine whether that person is a success or a failure is not uncommon. In fact, it is typical. We look at a persons resum when we want to hire someone.

In line with such a practice, how would you classify this one particular man? Scan his resumhis track recordand decide for yourself. Is he a success or a failure?

He grew up in poverty, spoke with a twang, and tried various occupations, such as storekeeper and surveyor.

At age 22He failed in business.

At age 23He was defeated for the legislature.

At age 24He failed in his business again.

At age 25He was elected to the legislature.

At age 26His sweetheart died, leaving him heartbroken.

At age 27He suffered a nervous breakdown.

At age 29He was defeated for Speaker of the House.

At age 31He was defeated for elector.

At age 34He was defeated for Congress.

At age 37He was elected to Congress.

At age 39He was defeated for Congress.

At age 46He was defeated for the Senate.

At age 47He was defeated for Vice President.

At age 49He was defeated for the Senate.

This is basically the half-century mark of his lifenot a very impressive record. But what if this man lived to be 100 years old, or 90, or 80, or even 70? Perhaps his record would improve. Well, in this case it didnt. At age 56, he died a violent death, murdered by a man who hated him intensely.

In your estimation, then, how would you rate his lifea failure or a success? As it stands, the picture is dismal. Oh ... but let me add one fact that I failed to mention earlier. At age 51, this man became the 16th President of the United States of America.

His name? Abraham Lincoln.

Would you classify Honest Abe as a failure? Hardly! In fact, most Americans consider Abraham Lincoln the most significant president and the most belovedin United States history. He succeeded at preserving the Union during the Civil War, the most turbulent time in U.S. history. And he succeeded at freeing the slaves with the Emancipation Proclamationa monumental achievement. Clearly, just because he failed at times, he was not a failure. Failure was not his identity.

What if Abraham Lincoln had not run for President? What if he had given up after his last unsuccessful Senate bid? What if he had deemed failure as his identity?

Now look at your own life, specifically at the times when you have failed. Is your failure an act or an identity ? (Do you say, I failed or I am a failure?) If you feel like a failure, what would you be willing to forfeit in exchange for what you have gained? What clear victory? What character growth? What wise discernment? What eternal gain would you exchange for your failure? Would you truly benefit if you allowed yourself to be limited by your failure?

On a personal note, my closest friends know me as someone who hates to waste things. Ill use an envelope a second time, wrap leftover food on my dinner plate for later, and pick up a penny on the sidewalk. As motivated as I am not to waste such little things, I have to work hard to make sure I dont waste one of my most valuable assets: my failures !

I havent always seen my failures as friends. For years, they stalked me, slashing at my self-worth, filling me with guilt and regret. Lets face it: personal failure hurts ! While Id never ask God to cause my plans and dreams to fail, Ive learned that, when they do, my response makes all the difference.

Ive concluded that I learned far more from my failures than from my successes. Because my failures were far more painful, they taught me what was not good, what was not beneficial, and what would not work. I learned, more poignantly, what not to do .

Winston Churchill said, Success is going from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm. Id add, And without losing your faith . I want to encourage you to take time to pause, to stop and learn all the lessons you can from your failures. These lessons will be invaluable. Then, once youve grasped what the Lord wants you to learn, dont dwell on past defeats. As Isaiah 43:1819 says, Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!

Decide now to learn from your failures. When you do, failure will not define you, it will refine you!

Yours in the Lords hope,

Never forget: Just because you fail, that doesnt make you a failure!

SUCCESS THROUGH FAILURE

From Stumbling Stones to Stepping Stones

The boat is battered and tossed about on the waves. Surging water surrounds the disciples as they rigorously row their way across the lake in the dark of night. Before the voyage is over, Peter would both ride the crest of faith and be submerged under a wave of doubt. Jesus had instructed His disciples to go on ahead of Him. Now He joins themby walking out to them on the water.

Its a ghost! They scream in terror, but immediately Jesus assures them it is Hethere is no need to fear. Peter then makes a bold, if not brash, request: Lord, if its you ... tell me to come to you on the water. Jesus responds, Come (Matthew 14:2629).

Quickly Peter climbs out of the boat and begins walking toward Jesus, literally walking on the water! Imagine the excitementimagine the exhilaration! But a tide of fear soon sweeps over Peter when he becomes preoccupied with the blustery wind around him and he begins to sink. Lord, save me! Peter frantically cries out. Immediately Jesus reaches out His hand and rescues himand then rebukes him: You of little faith ... why did you doubt? (Matthew 14:3031).