Failure – Every man I know is terrified of this! Many men don’t pursue their dreams for a fear of failing. Many men who failed end up derailed from chasing their dreams and fulfilling their destiny.

Why do men fear failure so much? What is it about failure that holds us back or holds us under?

There are lots of reasons why, but if we are honest failure is just part of life. If you attempt anything your going to fail a few times. So rather than attempting to live a life without failure (which I believe is impossible), we need to focus on how to recover from failure. Its inevitable that you will make mistakes, its not about being perfect its about being able to pick back up and continue the race that God has set out for you. Here are three steps to recovering from failure.

Step 1: Take responsibility

“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.” – 1 Corinthians 13:11

Stop blaming everyone else for the failure and just own it. Taking responsibility for our decisions is a rare quality these days. Dr. Edwin Louis Cole says, “Maturity doesn’t come with age but with the acceptance of responsibility”. The real issue with not taking responsibility is that it prolongs the process to getting back on track. You can’t put it behind you because you keep stewing on who is to blame. The key is moving past the failure. Take an inventory. What did you learn from the failure? What can you do different next time? Then, suck it up and drive on! Lets make a decision today to take responsibility.

Step 2: Repent

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” – Colossians 3:13

Sometimes our failures are due to mistakes that we make. When this happens we must admit to them and reconcile with those that the mistakes affected.

I have seen two extremes happen when mistakes are made. We can swing towards guilt and shame. This causes us to feel unworthy of forgiveness which leads us to shrink back and try to blend into the shadows. That is not what God thinks about you! No matter how bad you think you have blown it, God is ready to receive you back when you return to him in your heart.

The other extreme is pride. When we swing this way, we refuse to repent because it may make us look weak. Pride, if allowed, can keep you from reaching your destiny.

Both extremes are strategies and snares of the devil to keep you from relationship. First to keep you from a relationship with God and second to keep you from relationships with those around you. Don’t give the devil a foothold! Be quick to repent, forgive and reconcile.

Step 3: Start doing the right thing

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” –  Colossians 3:17

Attitude, Attitude, Attitude! It will determine your altitude! It’s not just about doing the right thing, but its doing the right thing with the right motive. Your motive will motivate others not just your actions. Its motive mixed with actions that inspires! Make a decision today to live an inspiring life. Whatever you put your hand to, do it excellent and with a great attitude.