BREAKING THE CIRCLE OF FAILURE

But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:16-18 ESV)

            Biblical truths can sometimes become abused. Heresy is usually not a blatant lie. An element of believability must be present for people to be deceived. Heresy disguises itself as a truth stretched to the realm of untrue. Sometimes well-meaning people mistakenly promote distortions but, nevertheless, somewhere along the way God leaves, cravings take over and heresy is created.

            Has this happened to the topic of success? Should people of faith expect material riches? Not long ago church leaders could not use the word “success” without believers assuming they should be wealthy, prevented only by lacking faith. Is success just a doorway to worldly prestige, possessions and power?

            Success is not evil, even though ambitions and reasons for wanting achievement can be impure. When motives are unwholesome God always knows true conditions. Everyone is judged under the light of divine truth.

            To abuse the concept of success is wrong and to be thoroughly opposed to success is equally wrong. If success is evil a person will only be righteous by failing. The Bible, however, consistently encourages believers to have great dreams, to possess thoughts of such magnitude that only God can receive glory when the imagining becomes reality.

            Scripture also challenges believers to strive, do their best and excel in every endeavor. Results are out of their hands but motivations should be to give maximum effort and performance.
            Unfortunately, many fail before they ever start. Some make provisions to fail more than succeed. What causes failure? Three things: Sin, wasting time and the circle of failure.

Sin

            Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. (Hebrews 12:1 ESV)

            Sin can entangle those attempting to live everyday for Jesus. Sin wraps itself around the legs like a cord and trips believers before they reach the goal line of glory.

            People of faith, recorded in Scripture, became failures by sin. Samson was brought to ruin by debauchery, orgies, yielding to temptation and contemptuous treatment of divine ability.

            David tarnished the remaining years of his kingship by adultery and murder. He genuinely repented and received forgiveness but the consequences of his actions led to moments of failure and national tragedy.

            Solomon worshiped the gods of numerous wives, ruining his reign as king.

            The devil does not care how high anyone soars as long as he can trip them up in the end.

            How does sin bring failure?

            It divides. Sin causes separation from God, failing eternally. Sin separates husband and wife, failure in marriage – parent and child, failure in the home – employer and employee, failure in career.

            It drives. Sin drives you away from good habits that lend themselves to success. Sin takes you to places you should not go, to do things you should not do. Sin drives your life and often dictates actions.

            One thing clearly driving Americans today is appetite. The land of plenty has become the home of obesity. The stomach drives people more then the Holy Spirit, the appetite becoming a god.

            It dulls. Sin dulls a sense of opportunity. You lose a sense of alertness to the Holy Spirit who attempts to lead you on successful pathways. Sin dulls your relationship with Jesus, the Leader of your life and the Light of your way.

            Ultimately, it defeats. When someone is divided, driven and dulled by sin, they easily throw in the towel of despair. Sin, by its very nature, overwhelms and makes people failures.

Wasting time

            Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:15-16 ESV)

            Are you failing to maximize opportunities? The average person is able to do more than they think possible.

            I led construction teams to El Salvador on a few occasions. Each work day was backbreaking. I ended the days doing a 30 minute run around a soccer field, sometimes adding a jog up a steep hill. One year a couple of workers decided to participate in my routine.

            One guy, an inexperienced long-distance runner, began with a burst of energy but quickly slowed down. I caught up to him and became a pacesetter. A lap around the track took about 30 seconds. At the 28 minute mark I heard him saying repeatedly “four more laps,” doing a countdown with each lap.

            Near the end of the last lap I challenged him to a half-lap race. He picked up speed and zoomed ahead. He won and was thrilled with his success. I revealed my motivation. I said “Never stop simply because of circumstances. There is plenty of will after the mind wants to quit.”

            Doing a job is more than just going to a work place. Measure productivity! What did you accomplish? Advancement comes by demonstrating trustworthiness, competence and reliability. When you curb the unnecessary, you will be more productive. This translates into measurable success.

            Busyness does not mean blessedness and the urgent is not always the important. There is a place for saying, “No!” Do you find yourself often motivated by “if I don’t do it, it won’t get done!” Maybe you should ask yourself, “If I don’t do it, should it be done?” Do things you are passionate about; you do not have to do everything. And do not allow others to cause you to feel guilty for not doing their unrealistic expectations.

            Sin and wasting time leads to failure. Sin deters – you “miss the mark” of success. Wasting time deters – you miss God-given opportunities.

The circle of failure

            The circle of failure draws it strength from sin and wasting time. The circle is a series of mental blocks suppressing creativity. They become communicated in many ways.

            Commonly used blockages include the following:

            “I’m poor at ___________________.”  I was poor working with hand-tools but became a missile technician and glazer (glass worker).

            “I’m lousy at __________________.”  I was a lousy speller but became a writer.

            “I’m shy.”  Does this prevent you from doing activities involving standing in front of others?

            “I’m not good at talking.” If this was unchangeable then God made a mistake choosing Moses. D.L. Moody was frequently criticized for poor speaking ability.

            “I’m uncoordinated, awkward or clumsy,” Are you excusing yourself from participating in a favorite sport?

            “I’m ugly.” In 1975 Janis Ian made famous the song “At 17,” which included the phrase “the world is meant for beauty queens.” This inaccurate perception seems real to teenage girls.

            “I’m German, Italian, Irish, Swedish or Scottish,” stereotyping bull-headed, hot-tempered, brawler, stubborn, cheapskate. Heritage is no reason for failure.

            “I’m not white.” Asian American, Arab American, African American, Latin American, Native American – sometimes people blame poor attitudes and actions on their race and skin pigmentation.

            “I’m old.” Colonel Sanders started Kentucky Fried Chicken after he retired, in his sixties. George Burns wrote in How to Live to be 100, “You don’t have to worry about getting old, that’s inevitable, you have to worry about rusting.”

            “I’m Pentecostal.” Some consider that beliefs disqualify them from opportunity. A greater tragedy is compromising beliefs to gain opportunity.

            The circle of failure has five basic components: “I’m a failure” … opportunity … join … “I can’t!” … Why? Because….

            Here is an example:

            “I’m shy.”

            “Come join the worship team.”

            “I’ll join.”

            “But I can’t!”

            “Why? Because I’m shy!”

            Here is another:

            “I can’t spell.”

            “Write an article for a newsletter.”

            “I’ll try.”

            “But I can’t!”

            “Why? Because I am poor at grammar!”

            People stop themselves from trying before they even begin, staying bound to feelings of inadequacies. Are you making provisions to fail instead of succeeding, living in the circle of failure?

Living for Jesus breaks the circle of failure

            And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV) 

            Jesus is in the refinement business. He helps you strengthen your strengths and manage your weaknesses. As a follower of Jesus you are changing all the time. With faith in God you can look at shortcomings and say, “That’s the way I use to be but in Christ I will not be that way anymore.”

            You break the circle of failure by replacing “I can’t” with “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13 ESV)

Application

            Jesus breaks the barriers of life. Put aside sin and redeem the time, then trust Jesus to work good changes in you.

            Failures of the past need not have power over you. Jesus is in the process of making you successful “with ever-increasing glory.”