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Do Not Let Failure Define You
By Glenn Davis
When you think of the historical story of Peter walking on water, what comes to mind first? Impulsive, headstrong Peter sinking in the water because he let fear triumph over faith? Jesus graciously reaching down and saving him from drowning? Was Peter a success or a failure? Whatever you think, Peter went on to become one of the greatest disciples. Do not let failure define you.
Read the story. Look at it carefully.
And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matt. 14:28-31, ESV
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This is not a story about Peter’s failure, but about his success.
Do Not Let Failure Define You:
Terrified In The Boat
Consider that many of the disciples were seasoned fishermen. They knew when a storm was bad, and this was bad. Then, to make matters worse, they saw a figure walking on the water. These disciples were terrified. They were beyond terrified. Then Jesus spoke to them in the storm to reassure them.
Peter, soaked to the skin and standing in sloshing water at the bottom of the boat, asked Jesus to confirm His identity by telling him to come to where He was. When he received the confirmation, Peter stepped out of the boat. He didn’t slide out like he would when the boat was near shore. No, he had to step out as if he was stepping on solid ground. The other disciples were probably telling him not to be a fool and get back inside the boat.
Do Not Let Failure Define You:
Courage To Step Out
This was a life-and-death decision. The water was deep. The storm was raging. There were no flotation devices. If you went down, there was no second chance. Yet Peter stepped out of the boat. He didn’t just walk on water a few feet. He walked a considerable distance because He was near Jesus when he began to sink.
How can we think of Peter as a failure? He walked on water! I only know of two men in the history of the world who have done that. Where were the other disciples? They were whimpering in fear as they were bailing out the boat. Why didn’t they walk on water? They could have, but they didn’t even have the faith to ask. If we really want to look at failures, we should look at the 11 disciples still in the boat!
Do Not Let Failure Define You:
Not The End Of The Story
Others will focus on your failure. Do not let your failure define you. Focus on your successes. Acknowledge your failure. Learn from it. Move on. Failure is not who you are. If you are a Christian, you are a son or daughter of the Living God. You are moving toward the abundant life found in the Lord Jesus Christ. You may stumble and sink along the way. We all do. But Jesus is there, reaching out His hand to help you back up.
Peter sinking isn’t the end of the story. Jesus picked Peter up. Together they walked back on the water all the way to the boat. Jesus didn’t carry him back. Peter successfully walked on water twice. He only sank once.
Remember, do not let your failure define you. It’s not who you are. Confess your failure. Let Jesus lift you up. Then walk with Him on your water back to the boat.
Do Not Let Failure Define You:
God's Mission And You
God has a mission and a purpose for you. Jesus prayed that God's will would be done on earth as it is in heaven. How is the will of God done in heaven? Perfectly. Is it being done perfectly on earth? No. Then that’s our mission to see the Kingdom of God manifest in every area of life on earth before the return of Christ.
Jesus told us how it was going to happen when He said we were to disciple all nations according to the Word of God and baptize them. Will we have failures and missteps along the way? Of course. Will others focus on them and criticize us? Most likely. Will we let that stop us? Only you can answer that. Peter got up and walked on water again; we can too.
Many Christians today are in the boat with the 11 disciples. They are clinging to the boat sides and crying for Jesus to come and rescue them. Their hope is in the rapture, not Christ. Jesus is not returning until the mission is complete. He is looking for courageous men and women, boys and girls who will step out of the boat into the raging storm of humanism that assails on every side and walk firmly in obedience to the Word of God. Failure is a momentary blip in our journey, not our lifestyle.
So, don’t let failure define you. Let God’s declaration of who you are in Him define you and step boldly and with wisdom into your storm. One word of caution. If you are going to step out of the boat and walk on water, make sure you have heard the voice of Jesus for yourself. Faith will walk; presumption will sink.
Do Not Let Failure Define You:
Final Note
Have you ever noticed our human tendency to focus on people's mistakes and assume they have the worst motives? Even with what may have been an innocent accident, we automatically assume they are deliberately trying to hurt, deceive, or manipulate us. Of course, when we make a mistake, we automatically assign ourselves the best possible motives. We didn’t mean to hurt them. We didn’t intend to be deceptive. You understand, we’re good people; others have to prove that their intentions were innocent. We should always look at the actions of others in the light in which we want to be judged. Assume the best unless there are legitimate reasons not to.
Glenn Davis is a Christian author and Bible teacher whose work draws on more than 40 years of study, writing, and local church teaching. He has written 700+ articles, created five Bible courses, published three books, and shared 100+ Bible videos on YouTube. Readers can find his books on Amazon, follow his teaching on YouTube or visit Glenn Davis Books. Away from the keyboard, he enjoys time with family, reading, walking, and board or card games.
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