Failure is the heart’s ability to focus on defeat rather than triumph or victory. When we fail, we often define our lives by our inability to meet the expectations we set for ourselves or others. Common enroots to failure is our agreement with the negative influences of fear, shame, guilt, and the feeling of being an imposter when it relates to our identity in Christ or the value system in the family of God. Failure often represents itself in our lives when we choose to base our self-worth on what we do instead of who we are.
Freedom from this negative influence comes as we realize faithfulness to God’s purpose in our life does not mean hard things will not occur. It means that in the middle of hard things, God will grant us the ability to overcome and triumph based on the power of the Holy Spirit within us. Failure must never become an end but a beginning to embrace the truth that God has for us! Here are five ways to walk in freedom and emotional healing when the negative influence of failure tries to creep into our lives:
Challenge the influence of failure. Recognize that the thoughts of failure you are presented with are not facts and that perceptions are not promises.
Stop comparing yourself to others. Bring your awareness back to all that God has done for you and through you. This will minimize the inner critique that prides on our failures and not success.
Practice gratitude. Being thankful removes the need and voice of failure in our lives. Reflection on all that God has done will empower expectancy for His work in the future.
Receive grace and compassion. Everyone makes mistakes. Allow the negative perception of your mistakes to be covered by God’s grace and empowerment for change.
Exchange failure-based thinking for godly-based thinking. By aligning our core beliefs with what God says, we will reinvent our definition of failure by defining success from God’s standard and not our own.
Questions to Ask:
What things make you feel like a failure?
Are you able to control these things? (Why, or why not?)
How would those closest to you describe your successes and decisions?
Would they pattern their own lives after your choices and personal example?
When you have failed in the past, what did you feel? (How did you cope with those moments of failure?)
What responses did you receive from failures in your childhood? (mom/dad, siblings, friends, teachers, coaches, mentors?)
If you could succeed at anything, what would it be?
How does the thought of this success feel to you?
Are there any lies you believe about God’s Word, your identity in Christ, or God’s promises to you that may be influenced by failure?
Connected Influences: Cycles of failure, loss, defeat, performance, pressure to succeed, striving, trying harder.
Scriptural Truth:
“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. 24 Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.” (Psalm 37:23-24)
“My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.” (Psalm 73:26)
“The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.” (Proverbs 24:16)
“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” (Galatians 6:9)
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” (Philippians 1:6)
How to Pray for Breakthrough from Failure:
You may pray aloud, using each step below:
REALIZE: "Lord, I confess (negative influence) is an area that limits my walk with You. Would You show me the first time I experienced this?"
RELEASE: "Lord, who I need to forgive for influencing this in my life. I choose to forgive (name of person) for (what they did or failed to do). It made me feel (share your emotions with the Lord). I release them from any debt they owe me and repent for judging them. I choose to bless them."
"Lord, do I need to forgive myself for how I responded to this negative influence?”
"Lord, am I holding onto judgment or unmet expectations of You because of this negative influence?"
REPENT & RENOUNCE: "I repent partnering with (negative influence). In the name of Jesus Christ, I renounce my agreement with (negative influence). I choose to hand this to You.”
Lord, I also renounce my agreement with (any connected negative influences).
RECEIVE: "Lord, what do You want to give me in exchange for the negative influence I have given You?"
What truth do You want me to walk in, based on Your Word, Your promises to me, and my identity in Christ?" (Write down and give thanks for the truths that you received from the Lord!)
You can break free from every negative influence present in your life! If you want to go deeper into the spiritual and emotional wholeness that God has for you, check out my book, Encountering Abba’s Heart, or use the purchase link below.
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