It is often said that the fear of failure is now a childhood epidemic. Fear of failing causes children to not participate in sports and other activities or even try to do their best. Children learn to make up excuses for not succeeding. Parents can contribute to their children’s fear too by conditioning their love for their children on their children’s abilities to achieve success. For example, a parent may indicate to a child through words or behavior that the parent only loves the child if the child is the lead scorer in a game.
As human beings, we know that failure is a part of life. How we deal with failure is also an important part of life. As Christian parents, we should turn to the Bible for guidance. God knows that we will suffer anger and disappointment but we should not forget that God is always with us, no matter what happens. Proverbs 24:16 says that “Even if good people fall seven times, they will get up. But when trouble strikes the wicked, that’s the end of them.”
There are many examples in the Bible of great men and women who suffered from fears but became overcomers, trusting in the Lord. One of the best examples for me is Joshua, Moses’ right hand man and a great general. After Moses died, God told to Joshua to take the people of Israel into the promised land. In Chapter 1 of the Book of Joshua, God repeatedly told Joshua “Be strong and courageous”. Why did God have to tell Joshua this many times? I am certain that Joshua was fearful, even though he had been through many successful battles already. What God was asking him to do was huge!
God explained to Joshua how he would become strong and courageous. He said that Joshua was to keep the Bible before him, always studying and speaking it. Additionally, God told him that He would be with him, wherever he went. Joshua did encounter some failures, but he always came to God to understand why. And, importantly, he never gave up. Joshua is known for being a great man of faith.