Beholding...
Whenever I realize how incapable I am of keeping up God's standards, I behold His goodness and grace. Last week's discussion on family was difficult for some. It stirred up feelings of insecurity and regret. At the time we feel regret, if we turn our gaze toward Him, we can appreciate God's abundant grace which brings us to a more hopeful place. I love that the author uses Romans 8:1-4. "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..." Hallelujah for that! There is a role for failures, regrets, and weaknesses. We are not to respond with self-pity or by covering it up, rather we are to behold the price Jesus paid and receive forgiveness as grateful children. "God calls us out of hiding and pays the price for our freedom. We can stop fearing failure" (page 104).
Becoming...
Another reason to stop fearing failure can be found in the parable of the talents in Matthew 25 (page 110-111). In this section, the author shifts our attention from failure to success. Even though the three servants were given differing amounts, the master was pleased with the first two for producing a return but displeased with the third servant who did nothing. The success of the first two servants was not in the amounts they produced, how shrewd they were, how famous they became, nor how much education they obtained, rather it was their faithfulness that pleased their master. The author encourages us that "what you do may not look like titles, badges, or letters behind your name, but God's pleasure in your everyday faithfulness will be your name graven on His hands and His welcome when it matters most: Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master" (page 113, Matthew 25:23). How can viewing your faithfulness as success help you set aside any fear of failure?