How To Benefit From Your Failures

Luke 5:3-6 - And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's,… And He sat down and began teaching the people from the boat. 4 When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch."  5 Simon answered and said, "Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets." 6 When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break;…" NASU 

• Peter's Way Equals Failure 

Peter had fished all night and caught nothing. In other words their fishing trip was a failure. It was a bust. Peter had done it his way. He followed the normal protocol of fishing in that area. He came up empty handed or in his words, "Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing..."
 

• The Lord's Way Equals Success 

If there is one thing I know about the Lord and our failures they go hand in hand. When we do it our way we have a full head of steam. We are filled with assurance that we are going to accomplish the task. You might even say we are fully motivated.
 
Then failure comes crashing through our life and we are bewildered. We are perplexed and we sit in unbelief that this has happened to us. How could this happen to me? I was prepared. I had all the answers.
 
I like what R. C. Foster said, "Their fruitless toil through the night gave Jesus His opportunity."
 
Did you hear that? Their "fruitless toil" gave Jesus His opportunity. Your fruitless toil will give Jesus an opportunity to work with you like never before. It is always easier to work with some one who believes he needs help.
 
At first, Peter didn't believe he needed any help. After all he was the fisherman. Jesus was a carpenter in Peter's mind.
 
After Jesus performs the miracle and their boats are loaded with fish Jesus goes from being "Master" which also could be interpreted "teacher" to LORD (vs.8).
 
When we do things the Lord's way like Peter and his crew did there will be success. 

• Your Way Equals What? 

If in life you are trying to be successful, you are doing everything your way and don't really seem to be making the great accomplishments you thought you would.
 
Then why not try doing it the Lord's Way? 

• What Exactly Is The Lord's Way

It is where you invite Jesus to walk with you everyday. You talk to Him like you would a friend on the phone or at a restaurant (some people call this praying). Seriously, just talk to Him. He is looking for people to be real with Him. Be yourself. Be authentic.
 
You ask for His blessing on your endeavors.
You ask Him to keep you from all evil and to protect you.
You read His Word and in so doing you are searching for answers to your life.
 
You have to understand that some times He may even protect you from yourself by not allowing you to accomplish some things that would bring great harm into your life.
 
When Jesus sees that you are able to handle the successes that can come in life He will give them to you. 

• Conclusion 

So let me ask this question: Have you benefited from your failures?
 
Think About These:
 
Most failures are experts at making excuses.
 
Failure is a better teacher than success, but seldom finds an apple on her desk.
 
Failures are divided into those who thought and never did, and those who did and never thought.

Stay Pumped,
 
Gary A. Serago

​Minister of God's Word