Faith to Finish
Part 1: Fighting the Fear of Failure
Matthew 14:22-23
How we use faith to move forward. I want us to seek to reach God together. The Church, home, & business have one thing in common. That is our faith and the challenges of failure. No matter what failures we encounter, they do not define our destiny. They shape us, define us, prepare us.
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1. Impact on Mental Health
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Experiencing failure can affect mental health 30% experience depression. Failure can cripple us to settle where we are, tempting us not to maximize the potential that God has given us. One of the greatest enemies of our potential is success. If we succeed, we think we have arrived. If we fail, we think we can’t do it.
2. Resilience and Recovery
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70% don’t bounce back. Never accept failure or success as a lifestyle, just a phase. Never accept accomplishment as the end is but a mark in the process. Because you are God’s creation, many sides of you lie dormant within you, untapped and unused. Your primary problem is not thinking like God does about you.
PETER WALKING ON WATER
· Matthew 14:22-33 (NKJV) 22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. 25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” 28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”
Destined for leadership but experienced significant failure. Peter experienced “The great denial” but became a fantastic leader. Faith in failure can still become revolutionary results.
- Out Of The “Boat” Blessings
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- The Paralyzing Effect Of Fear
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- The Power Of Focus And Faith: Check Your Spiritual Vestibular System
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- Jesus’ Immediate Response
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MOSES MAKING EXCUSES
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FEAR OF INADEQUACY
· Exodus 4:10-13 Then Moses said to the Lord, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” 11 So the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord? 12 Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.” 13 But he said, “O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.”
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- God’s Reassurance
· Exodus 4:14 So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses, and He said: “Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well. And look, he is also coming out to meet you.
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- God’s Patience And Provision
· Exodus 4:15-17 Now you shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth. And I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you what you shall do. 16 So he shall be your spokesman to the people. And he himself shall be as a mouth for you, and you shall be to him as God. 17 And you shall take this rod in your hand, with which you shall do the signs.”
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FAILURE AS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE
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JOURNAL PROMPTS
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt the fear of failure holding you back. What were the thoughts and emotions that surfaced? How did they influence your actions, and what did you learn from the experience?
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2. Consider a past failure that seemed insurmountable at the time. How has God used that experience to shape your character or lead you to new opportunities? Write about how this failure contributed to your growth.
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PRAYER PROMPTS
1. Pray for courage and faith to overcome the fear of failure. Ask God to help you trust in His plan, even when the outcome is uncertain, and to strengthen you to take bold steps forward, knowing that He is with you.
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2. Pray for a renewed perspective on failure, asking God to help you see it as a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block. Seek His wisdom to learn from each experience and to use it as an opportunity for growth and greater dependence on Him.
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