Gifts of Adversity – Part 3
February 17, 2002
Dear Friends,
We would like to talk a little bit about fear of failure or more specifically fear of adversity. Success or failure in any endeavor is not what is important, but how we react to that success or failure. Most of us will succeed only to the point that we are willing to suffer through many failures and disappointments.
When we talk here about success, we are not talking about worldly success, but spiritual success. Spiritual success is measured by giving glory to God and Jesus. Many times this success is achieved in ways that in normal everyday terms would not be labeled success. Jesus’ crucifixion is probably the best example of this paradox. Being executed in the most gruesome form imaginable while being proclaimed a heretic is not typically a standard for success. Yet, for Jesus, his time of shame gave the most glory to his Father.
True failure is achieved in one of two ways: quitting or not trying at all. We tend to look at the outcome and see potential failure while many times failure can be measured in not taking the chance.
In Matthew 14, we have the account of Jesus walking on the water. When Jesus arrives, Peter asks Jesus “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.” After Jesus calls him, Peter walks on the water. However, seeing the tempest about him, he becomes afraid and starts to sink. He cries out “Lord, save me” and Jesus “stretched forth his hand, and caught him.” We might tend to look at this account and think less of Peter. He tried to do something and failed. Just maybe though, it wasn’t Peter who failed but the other apostles. While Peter was sinking into the sea, there were eleven other men safely in a boat unwilling to even try and come to their master.
How many people have heard of Max Carey? How about Ty Cobb? Probably most people are familiar with Ty Cobb as a Hall of Fame baseball player. Max Carey was also a baseball player.
Ty Cobb, in his best year, stole 96 bases on 134 tries — a respectable 71% success rate. On the other hand, Max Carey in 1922 stole 51 bases in 53 tries – an amazing 96% success rate. We are not remembered for how many times we fail, but for how many times were succeed. Everyone remembers Babe Ruth as probably the greatest baseball player of all time. For most of the twentieth century, he held the record for number of home runs. However, Babe Ruth also held the record for the greatest number times striking out. The point is that we should not fear failure, but fear failing for not trying enough or not trying at all.
How many times have you not engaged someone in a discussion of the Hope of Israel because of fear of failure? Do you think people who share their faith with others will be remembered for how many people laughed at them or thought they were crazy or rather for the people they have brought into the saving name of Jesus Christ?
Jesus is a living example for us in this. Jesus had bad days and at least one really, really bad day. Jesus suffered. By worldly standards, he was a failure. He had no money. His friends deserted him. He was mocked, ridiculed and executed as a criminal at a young age. Yet, Hebrews 5 tells us:
Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.
If Jesus could benefit from adversity, how much more can we?
In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:6-7 – NASB)
Have a great week!
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