Defining Failure

It can be difficult to recognize God’s constant presence in our lives, especially in difficult and trying circumstances. Through God’s interaction with Gideon, he roots Gideon in his provision and tells him that, not only is he a God who is present, but he is a God who provides. Everything Gideon needs to begin stepping forward out of his blind spot of fear, God will give. Gideon just needs to be dependent and willing to surrender. If there's going to be a victory against the Midianites, it will be through God in his power and strength, not from Gideon. Gideon's called to recognize his own weakness in this moment. 

As we begin to recognize more and more God's presence in our lives, the most powerful thing we can do is actually acknowledge our weakness. God is the one that will empower us to step forward from our blind spot of fear. We just have to be willing to surrender. Many of us have a deep sense of a fear of failure, and it leads us to feel like we have to have everything together, and we have to take everything on and own it, because we can't show any weakness.

It can be so easy to look back and remember the times when we've stepped forward and we've felt like we've been met with failure. But as followers of Jesus, what would be the definition of true failure when it comes to fear? Would it be us stepping forward to face our fear and the situation not playing out the way that we would have hoped, or is the greater sense of failure that we miss an opportunity to step into deeper union with God? 

DISCUSSION/REFLECTION QUESTION: When is a time that you have stepped forward from fear, but felt like you were met with failure? Did you allow this opportunity to draw you closer to God?