When You Feel Like Quitting

The Burden No One Sees

Do you ever feel like just quitting? I just wanted to write a quick note of encouragement to you as we head into the weekend. Most of us are going to wake up tomorrow, go to church, serve in various ministries, and be busy doing the work of the Lord. We all put on our game faces. We work hard on Sundays. We serve, we love on people, we give, we do our best to serve God to the best of our abilities. But how many of us, beneath that exterior of smiling and serving, are carrying a huge burden? It’s a burden that not many people know about. It’s not something you talk about all the time, but it’s there. You have begged God to hear your prayer, but it just feels as if He doesn’t hear you. He certainly isn’t answering.

When You Feel Like Quitting

I feel your pain. I have been there; I am there. Sometimes it feels like it’s time to give up on that prayer. Maybe you feel like it’s time to walk away from it all- God, the church, your spouse, your dream, your job… I don’t know what your situation is, but I do know that it is too soon to quit. I don’t know your heartbreak, but I know the One Who does. You may feel like quitting, but I’m here to tell you- it’s too soon to quit! You have no idea how close you could be to God breaking through in your life and changing everything.

Don’t Quit

When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit-

Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns,

And many a fellow turns about

When he might have won had he stuck it out.

Don’t give up though the pace seems slow –

You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than

It seems to a faint and faltering man;

Often the struggler has given up

When he might have captured the victor’s cup;

And he learned too late when the night came down,

How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out –

The silver tint in the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are,

It might be near when it seems afar;

So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit –

It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.

~Anonymous

photo credit:
Pavel L.

Book Launch Day at Our House

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Our book launch crew

Today is the Day!

So today is book launch day at our house! My husband Matt wrote a book called Unmasked: Overcoming the Shame that Says You’re Not Enough. It released on Amazon this morning. You can click here to get your copy. Our kids have been excited and helping as best as they can- making messes, running around the house like crazies, and taking advantage of the fact that Mom and Dad are busy for the day. You get the idea!

Dealing with Shame

Ever since Matt knew that he wanted to write a book on shame, we have spent countless hours talking about shame. We have talked about the five emotions that shame impacts-Insecurity, Indecision, Insignificance, Rejection, and Inadequacy. Matt covers all of these in his book.

We all struggle with shame in different ways in our lives. It’s so prevalent in our culture today. It’s in our churches, the workplace, our schools, pretty much everywhere. Social media certainly hasn’t helped us any. I know for me, shame has paralyzed me at times in my life from being who God created me to be and doing what He wants me to do. I have always wanted to be meek and mild, quiet, proper, and soft-spoken. Unfortunately, that’s not exactly me. I am strong-willed and opinionated. I love a challenge, and I love to be in control. Yeah… not exactly meek and mild.

Free to Be Me

For years, I struggled with being me. I felt a need to portray a certain personality, especially as a Pastor’s wife. I felt like once people got to know the real me, they didn’t like me anymore. So I hid behind the quiet, unassuming Pastor’s wife persona. That is until I would let it slip and people could see the real me. Working through Matt’s book has helped me be free to be me. I need to constantly remind myself there is no shame in being who God created me to be. I have nothing to prove to anybody else, and neither do you!

One of the things Matt talks about in his book is that the best way for us to accomplish God’s purpose for our lives is to keep our eyes on God, not on those around us. Don’t look around at what everybody else is doing. Focus on who God created you to be and what He wants you to, and the shame will fade away!

How I Use Release Writing

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photo credit: Ana Tavares

What is Release Writing?

So I think Matt may have made up the phrase “release writing,” but it totally works! We have been calling it this for years. The idea of release writing is to write down whatever it is that is bothering you until you feel a release from the building pressure. Basically, when I am overwhelmed, hurt, discouraged, frustrated, or whatever it is that I can’t wrap my mind around, I write about it. I write down everything I am feeling, thinking, experiencing, and anything else that is rolling around in my head.

When to use Release Writing?

Sometimes I release write after Matt and I have had a fight. Other times, it’s after something discouraging takes place. Sometimes it’s just a problem with our kids or a frustration in our home that we can’t seem to get past. I can process things so much better when I see it on paper in front of me instead of having it all stuck in my head. I write down every crazy thought in my head.

How does Release Writing Help?

I write until I feel like the pressure that is building inside of me is released. After the tears have flowed, after the hurt or anger has eased, after I have gotten all the frustration down on paper, then I can take a deep breath. Now I can look back through it and see what is going on. I can begin to process what happened and what I need to do next. What started the fight? Why am I so hurt? What did the friend really say, and did I respond the right way? Was he wrong or was I? Why am I so discouraged right now? Why do I feel so helpless? Release Writing helps me to see what is going on and the steps I need to take next.

What is an Example of Release Writing?

I believe a lot of the Psalms of David were simply release writing on David’s part. We, as the readers, can see he was working through his fears, failures, problems, and discouragements simply by writing them all down. I find it so interesting that a lot of his Psalms start really negative and discouraging. By the time he has gotten to the end of the Psalm, though, his attitude turns positive again. There is something about writing that helps us to work through our emotions. It certainly helps me! Give it a try, and see if works for you too.

4 Ways to Encourage Yourself in the Lord

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There comes a time in every Christian’s life when you must learn to encourage yourself in the Lord. There is only so much help you can get from listening to preaching, reading an inspiring book, or listening to an uplifting song. Eventually, a time will come in your life when you are going to need something more. You are going to need God Himself to encourage you. It is a time when the trial is so great, the pain so intense, that your hope is gone. This is exactly where we find David in I Samuel 30.

David’s Hopeless Situation

For a time, David and his men and their families lived in the city of Ziklag. David and his men left to go help fight in a battle. They ended up not being needed in the war, so they returned home. Upon their arrival, they are met with an awful scene. The fierce Amalekites have invaded Ziklag, taken all the women and children captive, and burned the city with fire.

So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives.

Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.

And David’s two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.

And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. I Samuel 30:3-6

David’s Encouragement

The men with him were in such shock and grief that they spoke of stoning David, their beloved leader. David is in an awful place. He is grieving for his own loss, and now he must face his men who are angry with him and want to kill him.

David did the only thing he knew to do, he turned to God. This was his habit, his go-to in bad situations. In the midst of loss and fear, David took time to give himself courage by spending time with God.

How do you encourage yourself in the Lord? Matt and I have this outstanding joke that when the Bible talks about encouraging yourself in the Lord, it refers to having Mexican food. We are pretty sure that when David encouraged himself in the Lord, he went and ate Mexican food– some fajitas with chips and salsa and guac. Maybe not, but I have found a few things that have worked for me over the years.

4 Ways to Encourage Yourself in the Lord

First I pray. I talk to God about everything that is on my mind– my burdens, hurts, frustrations, and pressures. I talk to Him honestly and openly about my problems and ask for His help.
Next, I read my Bible and journal. If I need encouragement, I turn to Psalms or the Gospels. I spend time reading God’s words and just let Him speak to me. I have a journal that I use every day for my morning time with God, and I use that to write down what encourages me.
Then I release write. For this, I use a different journal. I have a journal specifically for release writing. In it, I write out my frustration, exasperation, hurt, pain, whatever it is. I write it all down and get it out of my head. I find this helps me to be able to process what I am dealing with instead of just letting it roll around in my head, paralyzing me from moving forward.
Lastly, I do something that encourages my spirit. I might go for a quiet walk, read an uplifting book, or listen to an encouraging podcast or good music.

These steps don’t fix the situation, but they give me the encouragement I need to keep moving forward. What about you? How do you encourage yourself in the Lord?

3 Ways to Develop Deep Friendships

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My Reminder on Sunday

Sometimes I forget how valuable good friendships are, and then something happens to remind me. This past Sunday was just that. Matt and I were tired Sunday morning after a long week. We had been dealing with a difficult situation all week and were weary and discouraged. After church, good friends of ours stuck around until everyone had left just to talk to us. They asked how we were doing, asked what our thoughts were about some things, and just listened as we talked. The longer we talked, it was like the burden began to lift. They honestly couldn’t really do anything to fix the situation we were facing, but they began to help carry the burden with us. By the end of the conversation, my friend and I were laughing hysterically. Our husbands both stopped and looked at us and asked what was so funny. It was so good to laugh! It was so freeing. I didn’t realize how tense and worked up I had been.

Friends Help Carry Your Burdens

I left that conversation and went home with a smile on my face and a lightness in my heart. Nothing had changed, but at the same time, everything had changed. Our friends had come alongside and carried our burden with us. There is an old proverb that says:

A joy shared is a double joy. A burden shared is half a burden.

That is exactly how it feels when someone carries your burden with you. It doesn’t feel quite so heavy and cumbersome anymore, and you don’t feel so alone. When you are struggling, and your faith is waning, a good friend comes along and helps carry you through. They have faith enough for the both of you.

David and Jonathon

I think David felt this when Jonathon met with him in I Samuel 23. David had been on the run from Jonathon’s dad, King Saul for a long time. He was weary, tired, discouraged, even angry.

…And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand. I Samuel 23:14

David could not escape Saul. He was constantly on the run, constantly alert and vigilant. He had to be so worn out and discouraged. I find it interesting that Saul couldn’t find David, but just a few verses later, Jonathon is able to find and meet with David.

And Jonathon Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God. I Samuel 23:16

Jonathon goes to David and talks to him and encourages him and somehow he fortifies David’s faith in God. That’s what really good, Godly friends do. They strengthen your faith and fortify your spirit to keep trusting God and to keep staying faithful.

Good Friendships Take Work

This week reminded me to keep working on my friendships. Good friendships don’t come easy. They take work, but they are worth it! I remember a time when Matt and I didn’t really have any close friends. We have had to work to cultivate the friendships we have now.

3 Ways to Develop Deep Friendships

Here are three things we have learned over the years that have helped us to develop these kinds of friendships.

Be hospitable. Have friends over. Make a nice meal, play games, chat over dessert and coffee, watch a movie, do whatever works for you. The more time you spend together, the more the relationship will grow. And the more relaxed you are, the more relaxed your friends or potential friends will be, and that will help to cultivate a relationship.
Be real. Nobody likes a phony. As you try to grow friendships, let the real you show. You don’t want to pretend to be somebody you are not, or you will forever have to keep that up. Let people get close to the real you, and let them decide if they want to be your friend.
Just show up. Good friends keep showing up for each other. Keep listening to your friend’s burdens and frustrations. Don’t try to tell them how to fix things, or what to do differently. Simply be a friend. Go through life together– the good and the bad.

Photo credit: Tatiana Vavrikova

Easter Basket Idea- Kids’ Devotional Baskets!

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New Devotional Baskets

We decided it was time for our two older kids, Malachi (8) and Madison (6) to start doing their own Bible reading and prayer time in the mornings. They have watched Matt and I do our morning time for years and wanted to do their own. (Read my three tips for a good morning time here). So we decided to do just that.

To make it fun, we decided to create devotional baskets similar to the one I have. We found cute baskets at Hobby Lobby in the spring shop section. Each basket was $3.99 or less for full price, but we got each of them 40 percent off! So they were all under $3.

Devotional Baskets

My two littles got to participate too. So each child got to pick out a basket and a journal. My two older kids each grabbed a story Bible too. They have regular Bibles at home, but I wanted them to get a little younger version that they could read the stories from. We grabbed these hands-on Bibles pictured below. I absolutely love these Bibles! They are easy to read for my older two. They can pretty much read them by themselves. Then I grab one and read it to my two littles. Every paragraph or so, there is a little hand. You stop at the hand and do whatever it says. It may be singing a little song, acting like an animal, pretending to be a tree growing, whatever goes with the story. All of my kids enjoy the fun. I can’t say enough good about these Bibles. Plus, they were a really good price. They were less than $15 each.

Kids’ Bible Reader

I have my kids follow a condensed version of what I do for my morning time.

Madison journaling

Journaling

First, they write down one thing they are thankful for.
Then they write down one confession from yesterday– something they are asking God’s forgiveness for.
Lastly, they write down one thing to pray for. They can write more for any of these, but this gets them started.

Bible Reading

They pick a Bible story to read for the day.
When they finish, we go through the questions and application given in the notes in the Bible.
They write down (in their journal) one thing they learned or can apply for the day.

Malachi reading his Bible

Finishing Up

We then pray and ask God to help them have a good day and apply whatever it is they learned.
Then they often choose to draw something in their journal from what they read.
Madison’s journal entry

Malachi’s journal entry

It’s a pretty simple system, but they enjoy it. They get a mug of hot chocolate when they are doing their morning time to help make it fun and something they look forward to.

Easter Basket

These baskets are a great idea for Easter. I did find a few pieces of candy to throw in for the picture, but obviously you could add colorful grass, some colored pencils, new pens, candy, anything to make it more fun for Easter. It makes it fun for Easter but also adds so much more value than just getting a basket full of candy. Happy Easter Basket Making!!

Stay Faithful Because a New Season Is Coming

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I Hate January!

It’s official. I hate January and don’t really like its cousin February. Every year I try to mentally prep myself for January’s arrival; but no matter how much I try to prepare, it still takes me by storm. Every January our entire family goes down with the flu, usually more than once. Because there are six of us, we just pass it around and around. Well, this January we stayed right on track. Our family was wiped out with the flu, not once, not twice, but three times! I finally bought a bottle of Lysol and sprayed every single thing in our entire house.

What I hate more than all that, though, is the depression I always sink into in January and often into February. We live in Pennsylvania where January and February are just gloomy, cold, wet, snowy, and mostly depressing. Every year I know it’s coming, yet every year I feel like January and February knock me to the ground.

This year was no different. Along with the flu, we have had “life” happening all around us. And you know, life is just messy sometimes. We have been in the midst of the “mess.” I knew it was all affecting me, but I didn’t know how deeply until this past Wednesday at our growth group. Somebody brought up something that was frustrating me and had been on my mind all day, and I hit the roof. I wasn’t upset at them, just upset at the situation. I tried to calm down. As I did, I looked around the room. Everybody was looking at me in shock. One member of our small group said, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this worked up before. ” Another person said, “I told my husband that I bet Amanda can be vicious sometimes.”

Apparently I’m Vicious

Vicious? Vicious?! Really?? I sat there in stunned silence, silently arguing in my head that I am not vicious! We were able to turn our small group around, ending the evening on a good note. But that conversation stayed with me long past that night. Vicious? I couldn’t stop thinking about it and feeling sick. I’m a child of God, a pastor’s wife, and this is how people see me? I felt all the pain of that night sinking in. I had been under pressure for the past several weeks and it had all culminated in the perfect storm and I had exploded. You know that saying, “You don’t know what’s in a tea bag until it’s put in boiling water?” Well, who I really was came seeping out on Wednesday night and all of my shame along with it.

Have you ever had a situation like that? You are trying so hard to do what’s right and stay calm but the pressure keeps building until you feel that you can’t take it anymore and Bam! You explode. What do you do? I turned to the only One who can help me.

A Look at Psalm 88

Matt graciously took the kids for a few hours Friday morning so that I could be alone for a little bit. I began my Bible reading and journaling for the day. As apart of my reading, I read Psalm 88, and it was a balm for my brokenness. It personified exactly what I was feeling.

Psalm 88

3 For my soul is full of troubles…

4 …I am as a man that hath no strength.

7 Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves.

8 Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me: thou hast made me an abomination unto them…

9 Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: Lord, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee.

The next few verses seemed to jump off the page at me.

11 Shall thy lovingkindess be declared in the grave? or thy faithfulness in destruction?

12 Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

I’m So Broken

God used these verses to remind me that life is not about me. If I don’t get my focus back on God and off of my problems then who is going to teach God’s love to my children? Who is going to remind my husband that God has been faithful before and He will be faithful again? Who will teach the new ladies in our church the amazing wonders God did in the Old and New Testament and how He wants to do an amazing work in their life? And who will share with those still to come to our church that because of Jesus’ righteousness, He offers salvation freely to all?

God reminded me that I am so broken and foolish. Yet that’s Who He uses.

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; I Corinthians 1:27

Going Forward

So how do I go forward? First, I give all my bitterness and frustration to God. Then I look around at the beautiful life He has given me. I can see tiny shoots starting to poke through my grass outside and remember that new life is going to spring up in just a few weeks. I remember that winter will fade and spring will come. And it’s the same in my life. The things that pressure me now, will eventually fade. God promises a time and a season to everything. There is a season coming bringing new life and growth and blessing in my life. God has always brought us through every hard time before, and He will do it again this time.

photo credit: Aaron Burden

What Kind of Dad Do You Think You Have?

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My Kids’ Dad

My husband Matt is such a good dad to our kids. He loves each of them so much! One of his favorite things to do is to take them on dates and buy them a toy. As much as I try to keep us on budget and not spoil the kids too much… there is Daddy, always ready to shower them with more love, grace, and gifts.

I see this all the time with my kids’ dad. So why is it so hard for me to see my heavenly Dad this way? So many times I don’t see God anything like this. I don’t see God as my doting Father wanting to love on me, spend time with me, and shower me with gifts. Instead, I see Him more as a disapproving Dad, a Dad that focuses on all my sins, failures, and short-comings. I see the disciplinarian Dad, taking me through another trial to make me better, change me, grow me, and rub the rough edges off.

My Heavenly Dad

But God is so much more than just a strict disciplinarian Father. He is better at being a Dad than any earthly dad could ever be! How do I know this? His Word says so.

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Matthew 7:11

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17

Sometimes I wonder if God looks down at me when I’m feeling so discouraged and unworthy of God’s love and asks me,” What kind of Dad do you think you have?”

God’s Plan for My Life

Just as Matt can see and understand what our kids need more than they can, so my Heavenly Father knows what I need more than I do. He knows that the thing I have been so afraid to do is what is going to radically change me. He knows that the prayer request I have been praying for for several years is not going to be answered the way I think it is, but His answer and plan is going to be so much better.

His plan for me involves waiting right now because the rest of the story hasn’t played out yet. If He brought it to pass now, I would only see half of the blessing He has prepared.

God’s Plan for Your Life

I don’t know where you are at in life right now. Maybe you are waiting for a relationship, and it just won’t come. Maybe you are in financial need and no matter how much you pray and work hard, you just can’t get ahead. Perhaps it’s a health problem, a relationship difficulty, a job need that seems so out of reach, maybe it’s loneliness or failure. Maybe you have convinced yourself for so long, like I have, that you just don’t deserve God’s help and love, that you are unworthy, lazy, unlovely, incapable. And the whole time, your Heavenly Father is looking down on you and asking…

What kind of Dad do you think you have? I see the full picture, and it is more beautiful than you could ever imagine! Trust Me. Believe in Me. Joy in Me. For I am your Father, and I love you more than you will ever understand this side of Heaven .

Encouragement for a Weary Heart

Sometimes I just need to be reminded of a few of my favorite verses.

The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Jeremiah 31:3

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Jeremiah 33:3

As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. Psalm 18:30

So I ask you in the midst of life’s pressures and struggles, what kind of Dad do you think you have?

Photo credit: Frank Mckenna

My Top 10 Books from 2017

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I read lots of great books last year. This is a list of my top ten favorites from the year.

Fiction

1. The Harry Potter Series.

Book Title: Harry Potter

I am a little late to the party, but I picked up the first book in the Harry Potter series this year. Amidst all the craziness of people arguing whether or not to read them, I decided to read the first one to see what all the hype was about and to determine if I would let my kids read them.

It was crazy! I could not put the first book down. After reading the first book, I read the entire series in less than a month! I LOVED this series! Hands-down best fiction books I have ever read! Obviously, which is why they are so famous!

Homeschool

2. The Well-Trained Mind.

Book Title: The Well-Trained Mind

I knew I would love this book, I just didn’t get around to reading it right away. After reading it, I changed much of the way I do my homeschooling. I loved that this book is both informational and practical. It has lots of recommendations for books at the end of each section.

(This book had a dust jacket, but I hate dust jackets and usually take them off as soon as I get a book. So my apologies for the ugliness of the book.)

3. The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child

Book Title: The Book Whisperer

I read this book quickly. It’s super inspirational. Lots of stories and encouragement to develop a love for reading in children. Great read!

Non-fiction

4. Falling Free: Rescued from the Life I Always Wanted.

I don’t have a picture of this book because I let someone borrow it. This was a fantastic read and a beautiful story that talks about the “messiness” of ministry. Shannan Martin tells her family’s story of giving up living on a beautiful farm in the country to move to the inner city to work in ministry.

5. Bread and Wine: A Love Letter to Life Around the Table with Recipes

Book Title: Bread and Wine

I love all Shauna Niequist books, and this one did not disappoint! It is chock full of stories about gathering around the table for nourishing food and fellowship, and of course, it has amazing mouth-watering recipes.

Disclaimer: I don’t drink wine, so I just skipped the parts about wine.

6. The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Decisions and Greatest Fears.

Book Title: The Circle Maker

I love Mark Batterson books. This one, so far, is my favorite. He teaches the concept of praying circles around your requests and watching God work in your life. It was so convicting and encouraging at the same time!

7. Nothing to Prove: Why We Can Stop Trying So Hard

Book Title: Nothing to Prove

This is a great book that came at a perfect time in my life. Jenni Allen is a great encouragement to remind us that we have nothing to prove to others or to ourselves.

(This book had a dust jacket, but I hate dust jackets and usually take them off as soon as I get a book. So my apologies for the ugliness of the book.)

8. Imagine Heaven: Near-Death Experiences, God’s Promises, and the Exhilarating Future That Awaits You.

Book Title: Imagine Heaven

This book changed my mind about everything I thought I knew about Heaven. I loved it and can not recommend it enough. The book is filled with stories of people who have had near-death experiences. People can agree or disagree, but I love that it gets us thinking about Heaven.

9. The Church of the Small Things: The Million Little Pieces that Make Up Life.

book title: Church of the Small Things

This book is just plain encouraging fun. It’s filled with stories that will have you reminiscing about days gone by, laughing hysterically at funny stories, and crying at tender moments. I loved that it was non-fiction but read like a fiction book.

10. The Magnolia Story.

Book Title: The Magnolia Story

Who doesn’t love Chip and Joanna Gaines? They are an amazing couple, and they produced an amazing book. You get the behind-the-scenes look at the life they created before they were famous. It’s a great read and full of encouragement and inspiration.

I am so excited about lots of new books to read this year! I have already read a few good ones so far! Happy Reading!!

What to do After Failure?

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On Sunday, in church, my husband Matt was preaching about how to handle failure. He had us stop and write in our notes where we have failed. He said that you can not move forward past failure until you have first acknowledged the failure. I stopped to think and started to write down my failures. In that moment, I felt so overwhelmed. I thought of all the ways I had failed in 2017– all the things I wanted to accomplish and didn’t, the frustrations and failures I felt in my personal life and with my kids… and on and on the list went.

Failure can be debilitating if we don’t know how to handle it.

Peter’s Failure

One of the best examples of life after failure is the story of Peter. Peter’s story is so sad, but I can so easily relate to it. In Jesus’ deepest hour of pain and need, Peterone of His closest friends betrays Him. The Bible says that Peter cursed and denied ever knowing Jesus. At that moment, Jesus looked on Peter, Peter heard the rooster crow, and in that moment the weight of his failure sank in. The Bible says that Peter went out and wept bitterly.

How do you come back from a failure like that? Peter, one of Jesus’ closest friends, betrayed Him. Yet Jesus knew Peter was going to do this and gave him advice days before. We find His advice in Luke. Jesus is talking to Peter and says,

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Luke 22:31,32

Jesus says, “Simon, (Peter) Satan wants to separate you and pull you away from Me. But I have prayed for you, and when you come back to Me… strengthen your brethren.” Jesus knew that Peter was going to fail, so He gave Him what he needed to be able to make it back. “When you do fail, come back to Me,” Jesus said. “And after you come back to Me, use your failure to be an encouragement to your friends and family.”

Less than two months later, Peter preaches at Pentecost and over 3,000 people get saved!

What an encouragement to remember life is not over after failure!

After Failure

Jesus used Peter’s failure in such an incredible way. How can we learn from his example? How do you use your failure to propel you forward to accomplish what God has for you?

Allow your failure to refocus your attention back on Jesus.
Follow your failure up with a second chance. Try again.
Commit to empathy towards others, not just authority. Don’t forget where you’ve come from.
Use your failure to grow your faith.
Leverage your failure with humility and strength.

If we can take those five steps, we will be able to come back after failure stronger than ever and be ready to accomplish what God has for us.