In ministry, we often feel the weight of expectations—both from others and from ourselves. We speak about grace, reminding others that their worth is not tied to their successes or failures, yet how often do we struggle to believe this for ourselves? J.R. Briggs’ reflections on failure struck a chord with me, particularly his realization that while he could preach grace to others, he found it difficult to extend that same grace to himself.[1]
Ministry can be a lonely place, and the fear of failure looms large. Whether it is a struggling church or the tension of navigating change, we sometimes let our inner critic take over. Like many of you, I have known the temptation to shrink back, to avoid risk for fear of disappointment. But what if failure is not the enemy we think it is? What if, instead of defining us, failure becomes a means of grace deepening our reliance on God?
Catherine of Siena offers a profound perspective on self-knowledge, one that extends beyond psychological introspection. She speaks of a “double knowledge”—understanding ourselves by looking at God and understanding God through His kindness toward us. This challenges us to see failure not as a measure of our worth but as an opportunity to encounter God’s grace in a new way.
What would change if, in our moments of perceived failure, we asked not only, What does this reveal about me? but also, What does this reveal about God? In failure, we often experience God’s sustaining love, His faithfulness when all else feels uncertain. It is in these moments that we learn to yield—to trust that even when our plans do not unfold as expected, God is at work in ways we cannot yet see.
Perhaps one of the greatest challenges of ministry is learning to extend grace to ourselves as freely as we offer it to others. If we truly believe that our identity is not in what we accomplish but in being beloved children of God, then failure loses its sting. It becomes not an end, but a pathway to a deeper, more authentic faith.
So, my encouragement to you today is this: Do not fear failure. Instead, let it be a mirror reflecting both your need for grace and the boundless love of the One who calls you His own.
[1] https://www.christianitytoday.com/2014/03/transforming-failure/