failing God

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April 8, 2024 · 5:41 AM

Pressure Testing

A lot of industries use pressure testing to evaluate the integrity of what they’re building. These tests can see what the max load is and also reveal any weaknesses that may not be visible otherwise. The same holds true for people. We all have our limits. Being under pressure for long periods of time can reveal areas we need to grow in, but it can also strengthen areas of our life. When areas weakness show up, we can either deny that it exists, make excuses, run from it or find ways to streNgthen and restore them. A lot of us default to denial, making excuses or running from it. We don’t like having these areas exposed, but the process is critical to our growth.

When Peter followed Jesus after He had been arrested, he had no idea he was going to be pressure tested. He had just told Jesus he would die for Him and that even if all the others abandoned Him, he wouldn’t. In John 18, a young girl simply Asked if he was one of Jesus’ disciples. Peter denied it. Then a guard asked him, but Peter denied it again. Right after that, a man said he saw Peter in the garden and Peter vehemently denied it. In that moment of pressure, Peter failed. We know that Jesus didn’t leave him in that broken state though. In John 21, Jesus took Peter aside and restored him making him stronger than before. When the time came to deny Jesus or face death, Peter was crucified.

1 Peter 5:10 says, ”And then, after your brief suffering, the God of all loving grace, who has called you to share in his eternal glory in Christ, will personally and powerfully restore you and make you stronger than ever. Yes, he will set you firmly in place and build you up“ (TPT). Suffering is often a pressure tester. Whatever it reveals is not the end or a mark of failure. It’s a sign that God has more work to do in that area of our life. I love how peter wrote here that whatever it reveals, God wil personally and powerfully restore in order to make you stronger. Then He will set you firmly in place and continue to build you up. God isn’t finished with you yet. He’s still working on you, making you stronger through pressure testing as you grow.

Photo by Robert Anasch on Unsplash

Growing up, when I heard the verse, “Be ye holy as I am holy,” I interpreted that as, “Be ye perfect as I am perfect.” It didn’t take long for me to realize perfection was impossible. I would fail, beat myself up for not being holy, feel shame, repent and repeat. I stayed in that cycle for a while because I didn’t understand that verse, I didn’t understand grace and I didn’t understand know how to trust what had been done for me on the cross. I’m not saying I understand them fully now, but I do have a better grasp of them. I haven’t even figured out how not fail, but I have figured out how to trust God more when I do. I’ve learned He’s not up there waiting for me to fail so He can banish me to Hell forever. Instead, like a father, He’s cheering me on, picking me up when I fall, dusting me off and encouraging me to try again.

One of the things that helped me break the cycle was having a teacher break down Romans 7 and 8 for me. He had me circle all the I’s, me’s, myself’s and my’s in Romans 7. When I did, the page was covered in circles. Then he had me read verse 24. It said, “What an agonizing situation I am in! So who has the power to rescue this miserable man from the unwelcome intruder of sin and death?” (TPT) He then had me do the same thing in chapter 8, except I circled all the spirit’s, God’s, Christ’s and Jesus’. Again, the page was covered in circles. He then had me read verse 4. It said, “So now every righteous requirement of the law can be fulfilled through the Anointed One living his life in us. And we are free to live, not according to our flesh, but by the dynamic power of the Holy Spirit!” He then said, “It’s not up to you. Quit trying to live this life on your own. Trust God’s grace and let His Spirit lead you.”

All my favorite people in the Bible failed miserably, and sometimes often. The psalmist wrote, “Lord, so many times I fail; I fall into disgrace. But when I trust in you, I have a strong and glorious presence protecting and anointing me. Forever you’re all I need! (Psalms 73:26)” Being a Christian isn’t about being perfect. It’s about learning to trust God’s grace and being Spirit led. He’s given us the tools we need to follow where He leads, we just need to use them. When we fail and fall into disgrace, know that He’s not angry with you. He’s there ready to help you up, to forgive you and to surround you with His presence. Keep trusting in Him, learn to listen to the Holy Spirit and quit listening to the voice of condemnation. Romans 8:1 reminds us that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. That’s a reminder for you as a Christian when you fail. This life isn’t about achieving perfection. It’s about learning to trust a perfect and holy God.

Photo by Nathan Cowley from Pexels

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