Devotion – Breaking out of the failure syndrome

In training Timothy for ministry, Paul says, ‘Preach the Word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favourable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching’ (2 Timothy 4:2 NLT). Most hotels have a sign you can put on your bedroom door that says, ‘Do Not Disturb’. That sign on your door means you want to relax, sleep, or not be bothered. Hanging that sign on your hotel room door is acceptable, but putting it on your life isn’t. Have you ever noticed that God doesn’t always do things on our timetable or in ways that are convenient for us? Paul told Timothy that when it came to serving the Lord, he was called to do it ‘whether the time is favourable or not’. We need to remember that whatever God asks us to do, it’s always worth any inconvenience or difficulty we face in the process. And He will always make a way for us to accomplish His will when we are obedient to Him.

The Bible says, ‘For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God's laws, and it never will. That's why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.’ (Romans 8:7-8 NLT). Notice, this ‘sinful nature’ doesn’t please God. This doesn’t mean that God doesn’t love us. What it does mean is that He is not satisfied, nor will He accept behaviour ‘still under the control of their sinful nature’. So take down your ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign and commit to walking in obedience, for it’s the pathway of blessing.

SoulFood: Matt 4:18-20 Matt 16:13-23 Matt 26:69-75 John 21:15-19

Breaking out of the failure syndrome

Devotion: Term 1, Week 2

When you have been abused, rejected, or abandoned, it’s easy to become shame based and end up with a very poor self-image. The devil knows this, so he will attack your personal confidence whenever he can find an opening. He wants you to believe that you are a failure, because without confidence you will never step out and try to do the things you truly want to do. He does not want you to fulfil God’s plan for your life. If he can make you believe that you are incapable, then you won’t even try to accomplish anything worthwhile. And even if you do make an effort, your fear of failure will seal your defeat, which, because of lack of confidence, you probably expected from the beginning.

This is often referred to as the ‘failure syndrome’. You fail because of wrong beliefs, and you continue to have wrong beliefs because you fail. It’s hard to know which came first, but you find yourself in a trap you cannot seem to get out of. What’s the answer? As a redeemed child of God, the Bible says that you are ‘in Christ’. Jesus defeated Satan and triumphed over him at the cross. And because you are ‘in Christ’, His victory is your victory. You can break out of the failure syndrome and begin to succeed in life. Here is why: ‘Despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.’ Note the words ‘despite all these things’. Regardless of what has happened to you in the past, God has a wonderful future in mind for you.

SoulFood: Gen 24:1 – 25:18 Luke 9:1-17 Ps 134 Pro 4:5-13

Devotion – Breaking out of the failure syndrome

Breaking out of the failure syndrome

Other Devotions

Devotion – Breaking out of the failure syndrome

Devotion – Do Not Disturb

Devotion – The Value of One Lost Sheep

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