If at first you don't succeed, TRY, TRY AGAIN

There's a popular saying, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." As followers of Jesus, we are aware that we should always strive to make positive changes in our life, in our mindset, in our relationships, and in our walk with God. It might be learning to not worry or not get frustrated or to have an unshakable faith. It might be spending time with God each day. It might be how we interact with others. Or it might be a habit that's not in line with God.

Whatever changes we may be trying to achieve, we most often don't succeed at our first attempt. It is a challenge to be consistent, to always be strong, to remain committed to making a change, to not lose faith that it can be achieved. Usually, we are not going to get it perfect right away, we're human after all. But we must continue to strive, continue to fight, and never give up. We read in Proverbs 24:16, "for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again"

This life is our training ground for the Kingdom. This is where we are supposed to practice, train, fail and get up again. Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27,

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”

In order to be successful in our training, we only need to lean on our Heavenly Father. He has provided us with everything we need to succeed with the bible as our training manual and the Holy Spirit as our training coach. II Peter 1:3 tells us that,

“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.”

And because of His great love and mercy, God promises to not allow His children to fail, as we read in…Philippians 1:6,

“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

So whatever changes or growth we are currently pursuing, let us not become discouraged or weary when we mess up, drop the ball or trip over a hurdle. Because even though we might fall seven times, with God we will get up again, continue the race stronger than ever and be victorious.