Occasionally, we have days when everything is amazing. Good food, good hair, good sleep, good kids, good job, good workout, good weather. Awesome! But, alas, it seems there are also days NOTHING goes right! We can push to our limit and give it our best….but still fail somewhere. When experiencing failure, it is easy to feel defeated, like we want to give up.

Thankfully, there is a difference between failing and “being a failure.” Failure (or failing) is good in many ways! Here’s what I learned from a conversation on weight lifting.

A friend’s old exercise plan included completing 4 sets of 10 repetitions before moving on to the next exercise. That was fine until his goals changed. Then, he switched up his routine to use heavier weights and build more muscle mass.

He did as many reps as possible, until he could safely do no more—that is, until he reached “failure.” At that point, the muscles start to break down. Slowly, our body is rebuilt with increased strength and muscle mass.

(That’s oversimplifying things—I’m not an expert!)

This friend grew frustrated when he couldn’t do as many repetitions. He thought failure meant defeat. When he finally saw results, however, he realized—failure brings growth.

He went on to list other important factors for building muscles: nutrition, rest, and time. Nutrition, rest and time are all interconnected. But, each is unique for its role in recovery.

Proper nutrition is vital for muscle growth. Adequate calories and protein are necessary to heal and increase strength. There are other things to consider, but consistency is key.

An athlete wouldn’t skip an opportunity to refuel. Nor would they replenish themselves on junk food! Spiritually, God’s Word is our fuel.  We grow when we spend time with God! As we take in His Word, God renews and transforms us from the inside out (see Romans 12:2). We can’t expect good outcomes if we don’t have good input!

Rest is essential to recovery and well-being. A rest day after intense exercise brings relief to sore muscles. It is a gift! Without rest, there is no restoration. In our quiet moments with Him, God rebuilds us into a stronger person.

Taking a rest break can be a challenge. We live in a fast-paced world. If we’re not careful, we will burn out. For some people, the slower pace can feel unnerving. But it’s worth it. I now look forward to scheduling down time in my life!

Time is also a gift. Waiting is difficult when you have many goals and dreams! As time goes on and we seek God’s input, He refines us. We’re all a work in progress, right?

We spend much of our lives waiting… My goal is to always learn all I can in those times. I look at it as training and preparation while God works out all the details for me.

The best is yet to come!

Faith is like a muscle. We have to exercise it in order for it to grow. Just like a healthy body takes effort, so does faith. So, when trials and setbacks come, don’t fear failure. Rather than accept defeat, see setbacks as growth opportunities!

There may be pain, but don’t let that hinder your progress. If you let Him, God will prepare you for greater capacity and greater responsibilities. During your rest period, feast on God’s word as you wait for Him to finish the work.

The upside of failure is that it redirects our focus. God is in control of the final outcome, we just have to be faithful in our role. So, let God teach you—He will set you up for success. It might take some time, but when you (finally!) do see results, it will be worth the wait.

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God, You are so wise. Thank You for leading, teaching, and restoring us during times of rest. Help us trust Your growth process. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Questions: When exercising, do you prefer cardio or lifting weights? Regarding life circumstances, what is God using to grow your faith in Him?