We all experience the pain of poor choices or actions, thinking we have so sinned against God that there’s no hope for restoration. During these times, draw strength from God’s comeback stories: heroes of the faith whose failures weren’t fatal:
1. King David’s adultery and murder
It’s hard to fathom that this beloved character who is spoken so highly of in more than half of the Bible’s books would also be guilty of breaking half of God’s commandments: David coveted Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba (2 Sam. 11:2-3), committed adultery with her (2 Sam. 11:4) effectively stealing her from Uriah (2 Sam. 12:9), lying to him (2 Sam. 11:12–13), and eventually having him murdered (2 Sam. 12:9). When the prophet Nathan confronts David for his depravity, he immediately repents, confessing his sin. When the son that is born to David and Bathsheba dies, David simply receives this outcome as the consequence of his action.
Conviction: When we have sinned, we must recognize it and repent. God’s forgiveness doesn’t save us from the consequences of our conduct, but if we’ve abandoned the behavior and are willing to accept the consequences, God will still use us. Failure isn’t fatal.
2. The Prophet Elijah’s breakdown
Elijah had so many miraculous experiences, you’d think that he’d have unshakable faith. After all, he caused the rain to stop for three years (1 Kings 17:1), was fed by ravens (1 Kings 17:4), saw a limitless jar of flour and jug of oil (1 Kings 17:14), witnessed a widow’s son resurrected (1 Kings 17:22), and beat the prophets of Baal by calling down fire from heaven (1 Kings 18:38). But when the showdown with the Baal worshipers so angered King Ahab and his wife Jezebel that she vowed to see him dead, Elijah’s faith collapsed as he fled. When God met him, Elijah was undone, feeling like he was the only prophet left—confident that he was completely isolated and imperiled. In spite of his actions, God fed Elijah, allowed him to rest, answered his complaints and encouraged Elijah with a still, small voice that he was not alone (1 Kings 19).
Conviction: Burnout is only permanent if you allow it to be. Don’t listen to everything that you’re tempted to believe when you’re exhausted. Take time to care for yourself physically, spiritually, and emotionally—and be restored in Christ. Failure isn’t fatal.
3. John Mark’s desertion
John Mark’s family was an important group of people in the early church. When Peter was miraculously released from prison, he knows that the believers will be gathered at the home of John Mark’s family (Acts 12:11–13). Due to his family’s significance in the movement and relationship to Barnabas, Paul and Barnabas pick John Mark up on the way back from a mission trip to Jerusalem to take him with them to Antioch (Acts 12:25). But John Mark decides that he’s had enough, quitting when the going got rough. A strong disagreement arises between Barnabas and Paul as to working with John Mark again, the two no longer working together (Acts 15:36–41). Many years later, John Mark comforts Paul sitting in prison, as Paul proudly calls him a “fellow worker” (Col. 4:10–11).
Conviction: We all develop gradually. Failure isn’t always a sign that we can’t cut it. Sometimes we’re trying to operate at a level that we’re not mature enough to handle. We can always outgrow those kinds of failings, provided we don’t give up. Failure isn’t fatal.
4. Paul’s awful history
Before Paul became the writer of most of the New Testament, he was Saul of Tarsus, a terror to the early church who gave his approval of Stephen’s murder (Acts 7:57–8:1). Luke tells us that Saul went looking for Jesus followers to throw them in prison (Luke 8:3). On his way he had an encounter with the resurrected Christ, and the rest is history. Did Paul regret his behavior before meeting Jesus? How could he not? In his letter to Timothy he said, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.” (1 Tim. 1:15–16)
Conviction: For those who put their trust in Christ later in life, there are bound to be reasons you feel unqualified for service. But the gospel is so powerful that our transformation becomes a profound testimony to God’s goodness and grace. Failure isn’t fatal.
5. Peter’s denial of Christ
Loud and impetuous, Peter was one of Jesus’ closest friends and confidants. In fact, he was the only disciple willing to try walking on the water (Mt. 14:28–29), and was the first to call Jesus the Christ and son of God (Mt. 16:16). When Jesus predicts that Peter will deny him, Peter proudly rebuffs him (Mt. 26:34–35). But that very night after Jesus is arrested, Peter denies him three times—the third time cursing his accusers. When he realizes what he’s done he breaks down and weeps bitterly (Mk. 14:66-72). Did Peter’s failure exclude him from Christ’s plans? On the contrary, Peter is the first of the twelve to whom Jesus appears (Lk. 24:34; 1 Cor. 15:5), restoring Peter in a touching moment on the Sea of Galilee (Jn. 21:15–17), and he goes on to become the leader of the disciples, preaching the first evangelical message after which more than 3,000 people accept Christ as Savior (Acts 2:14-36).
Conviction: Failure doesn’t disqualify you, even if you’ve been following Jesus for some time. Confession and repentance restore our vital relationship with Christ. Failure isn’t fatal.
Your story is still being writtenThe only way that failure can get the last word in life is if we choose to let it. We serve a God who is able to take our defeats and missteps and still use us to bring glory to His name. Get back to service