Overcoming the Fear of Failure
When it comes to the problem of failure, it’s not a question of “if” you fail, but “when.” Failure comes for each one of us, and there is no way to escape the appointment. I’m not talking about moral failures. I’m talking about the failures that come because we are simply imperfect, finite people, living in a fallen world, trying to “walk worthy of the calling with which [we] have been called” (Ephesians 4:1). The “calling” is high, and the standard of excellence is Christ. And no matter how “excellent” we are, we will always fall below that standard.
Yet, despite the certainty of failure, the fear of failure can be paralyzing. So how do we overcome it? How do we push through our failures and continue to lead joyful lives in service to the Master? As I’ve wrestled with these questions, one passage I continually come back to is Psalm 37:23–24. It has become something of a life verse for me as I put to death the fear of failure and take courage to do the “good works” that God has prepared for me to do (Ephesians 2:10).
“The steps of a man are established by the LORD, and He delights in his way.
When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.” (Psalm 37:23-24)
There are four truths in this text that have helped me put to death the fear of failure. I offer them to you in hopes that they will help you do the same.
1. Your Steps Are Divinely Established
First, this passage is a reminder that your steps—whether they are successful steps or missteps—are “established by the LORD” (verse 23a). God is in charge of it all. When you are successful, you can be assured that you have succeeded only because God has established that step. When you fail, you can be equally assured that your failure has not taken God by surprise but that He is at work to sanctify that failure for your good and the good of others (Romans 8:28–29). There are no wrinkles in His providence. The details of your life (“your steps”) are perfectly planned and decreed by Him for your good and for the glory of His great name (Psalm 139:16; Romans 11:36). So don’t fear failure; live faithfully and submit to God’s decree.
2. God Delights in Your Way
Second, not only does God establish your every step, but He actively “delights” in your way (verse 23b). He is not anxiously observing your life from afar, hoping that you will never fail. He establishes your steps, even as He delights in your way; meaning that all He has ordained for you is that which brings Him the most delight. Your successes and your failures are all perfectly arranged to accomplish two purposes: 1) to bring God the most glory and 2) to bring you the most good in this life and the next. This is why God “delights” in your way. Because He is at work, bringing about His good purposes for His sons and daughters—and He always looks at them (in Christ) with a smiling face.
So, don’t fear failure, rest in the fact that God is in charge and is delighting in your way. If He is delighting in your way, so should you.
3. Your Failure Is Certain
Third, this passage is a reminder that your failure is certain. That doesn’t exactly sound comforting, but it really is. Notice that verse 24 begins with the phrase, “when he falls.” It’s not “if he falls” but “when.” His failure is certain. Why? Well from the vertical perspective, it’s certain because its written in the decree of God. From the horizontal perspective, it’s certain because we are fallen creatures in a fallen world. Failure is inevitable. The sooner we come to grips with that reality, the less paralyzing it will be.
There has only ever been one Man to walk the earth and not fail. And of course, this passage did not apply to Him. But for the rest of us, we have to come to terms with our imperfection (Romans 12:3) and accept the fact that we will not always counsel perfectly. We will give bad counsel. We will miss the mark. But here’s the hope of Psalm 37:24: when you fall, you will not be “hurled headlong.” Meaning that your failure, though painful, will not be your undoing if you belong to the Lord.
4. God Will Sustain You
Lastly, this passage is a reminder that your failures will not be fatal because God is the One who will sustain you through them all. Look at very 24 again:
“When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.”
It’s hard to conceive of a more comforting image. God is not only present in your life, but He holds your hand. If that were not Scripture it would be almost unthinkable. But here it is for us—a reminder that the Christian takes every step of his life hand in hand with the Father. Thus, whenever you fail in ministry, in parenting, in evangelism, etc.—that same loving Lord is there to pick you right back up so that you continue carry out the work He has given you to do.
This is why Proverbs 24:16 says, “the righteous man falls seven times but he gets back up." Why does he get back up? Because his loving Lord holds his hand. This is why Micah could say,
“Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy. Though I fall I will rise; Though I dwell in darkness, the LORD is a light for me.” (Micah 7:8, NAS95)
The Christian, though he fall, will always get back up. Not because he is so resilient but because God is the One who sustains him. Our resiliency is simply the result of His faithfulness.
Conclusion
So how can you overcome the fear of failure? One way is to bring the truths of Psalm 37:23–24 to bear on your own life. Remember, every step you take is sovereignly directed and established by your loving Lord. Not only that but He watches over you with a smiling face, delighting in every detail He has decreed. And He is present, holding your hand as you carry out the good works He has created you to do. Whether those good works are aimed at a large congregation, a small Bible study, a counselee, the discipling of your children, or something in between, you can have confidence that although you may fail in life, you can never fail in the ultimate sense because God is the One who is keeping you and He guarantees that He will complete the work He has started in you (Philippians 1:6).