Epic Fail!

This week's memory verse:
"Praises be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens." -- Psalm 68:19

Lately, I have heard teens say "That was an epic fail!" when something doesn't go as planned. I wasn't sure where the phrase originated. Apparently, it came from a video game and now the words "fail" and "epic fail" are used all over the Internet, on Facebook status, and now has become an accepted replacement word to use instead of the other 4 letter words you could use when you break something or drop something on your toe.

I have to admit, being the positive person I am...never liking to focus on my failures...I don't really like the term. Will failure become acceptable? Do we not try anything any more because we're probably going to fail any way? I'm sure that I am all wrong in my thinking and the word failure will not have a negative, long-lasting effect on our culture.

After all, failure HAS been around a long time...we ALL have failed from time to time. I guess it's what we learn from those failures that makes a difference in our lives and in our futures.

Yesterday, I mentioned King David and how he gave into his desires and slept with a married woman while her husband was off fighting the war HE was supposed to be fighting. His poor behavior continues. Read it for yourself in 2 Samuel 11:6-27.

David, learning that Bathsheba was pregnant, wanted to cover up his crime. When the soldiers came back, he tried to get Uriah to go home, presumably so he would sleep with his wife and everyone would think the child she was carrying belonged to her husband. But, loyal to his king and soldiers, Uriah would not go home. So, David had him sent into battle at the head of the army, knowing that he would be killed. Then, since her husband was dead, David took Bathsheba as his wife and had their son. Sounds like a good ending for David right? WRONG! God was NOT happy with David! Talk about your epic fails!

When we fail, and we WILL...we need to seek God. We need to confess to him what we have done wrong...he already knows, but he needs us to own up to what we did, and ask for forgiveness. 

I know in my life, there have been many fails, some worse than others. But, when I own up to them, ask God to forgive me, and then truly try not to repeat the same mistake, I feel better and am more capable of moving on. There have been times when I was so ashamed of what I had done, that I had a hard time going to God...I would hang on to that mistake for a LONG time and it would end up eating me alive...not until I went to God about it was I able to let it go. I knew I was forgiven...I let go of that particular baggage and was able to move on a little lighter.

Fails and epic fails are going to happen in our lives...we are human and we mess up...we might as well get used to that! But don't let a failure...failure to lose weight, failure to balance your checkbook, failure to help a friend in need, failure to...whatever...don't let that become your focus! Don't let it weigh you down with grief, guilt and shame. If you know you have displeased the Lord, ask for forgiveness, be thankful for his Grace, and move on! Failure is just success in reverse...learn from your mistakes and turn it around!