I’m doing a tiny Christmas give-away this week…at the end of this post I’ll tell you about it!
Sometimes I feel like a huge failure. Can you relate at all? It can be over small things, like what I ate for lunch. Or big things like what I’ve accomplished in my life. Either way the feeling is much the same…terrible, horrible, no good and very bad.
I heard a very successful retired pastor talk about failure once. Now, he was a pastor of one of the largest Baptist churches in the nation. He had written books and been all over the world speaking to churches and leadership groups. But he said that in the past, he often dealt with feeling like a failure. God set him free from this however. “HOW?” I asked him.
“When I realized that I wasn’t responsible for being Billy Graham.” He said rather seriously.
“I’m only responsible for using the talents God’s given me. Doing the best I can for Him is all I’m held accountable for.”
Hummm, so comparing myself with someone else can lead me into that “failure mentality”? Thoughts like: “I should be more like (whoever)”, or ” I ought to do things like.(whoever)”. Those are the types of thoughts that start me down the path of feeling like a failure.
“I’m only responsible for using the gifts God gave me. And I don’t have to measure up to anyone else”, are the thoughts that get me back on the solid ground of God’s purpose for me.
Today, in the spirit of the season, I’m thanking God for whatever gifts He’s given me and asking Him to help me use them for His glory.
How ’bout you? have you ever been trapped into failure by comparing yourself with someone else? How do you combat those thoughts?
I’m doing a little give-away this week! I want to send someone a copy of Richard Paul Evan’s new book: The Christmas List. Just leave me a comment on this post for a change to win. I’ll use Random.org to choose a winner and announce it on Monday of next week! Leave a comment every day this week for a better chance to win!
Good morning Robin.
You are the least “failure” of anyone I know. Love your inspirational posts.
Have a great day.
.-= Ellie Andrews´s last blog ..Sometimes I feel like a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad failure… =-.
Your post was the message I needed to hear today. Thank you for sharing!!!!
I admire all your talents – failure – no way. This book sounds like one all of us should read as we all experience these feelings!
in my reading this morning, i was prompted to be thankful, but i hadn’t thought to ask God to show me how to use what He had given me for His glory. thanks for this perspective.
.-= jenn´s last blog ..Gobble, Gobble… =-.
You were probably inspired to submit this post because there are
many who will read and realize, “hey, I don’t have to be like Robin,
I can just be myself….it is enough!!” I think we all have these times
of failureitis and self doubt, but I’ve known you from day one and
trust me, you got gifts and you know how to use them!
Your gratitude and thanksgiving is refreshing and on point ~
Love always,
dad~.
Awww, thanks Daddy. Love you to the moon and back.
“Let there be no difference between made among you between any one thing & any other thing; for thereby there cometh hurt.”
— Liber AL vel Legis, I.22
Love it!
Something we should all remember . . . we are created in His Image, but we were all bestowed with unique gifts.
This is such a timely post. I completely understand your thoughts and feelings. I feel them too especially around this time of year. I love the insight you gave. Thanks.
As for the book, I LOVE his books. Every Christmas, I read one of his, old or new. I would love to have this one. Thanks for the opportunity.
.-= Carol´s last blog ..Back with a Rant! =-.
Yet another great post Robin! You have really been an inspiration to me lately. Hardly a failure in my book! So sweet that your Daddy posted a comment.
Wanted to tell you thanks for directing me to Traci and Beneath My Heart. I can so totally relate to her.
Love and hugs to beautiful you! ~Lanie
.-= Lanie´s last blog ..Living and leaving a legacy…. =-.
Love your sweet Dad’s comment. And appreciate your transparency. Yes, we are called to be faithful. The success is up to the Lord. May he bless you with encouragement today. : )
Donna
I see you as a very talented, loving woman, with great insight and passion. I don’t see a failure anywhere on my list.
.-= sherri´s last blog ..The Things They Carried =-.
Those sweet words from your Dad. That’s love in action. Its clear to see what made you, you Robin!
I’ve never thought of it that way!! I think that is so true. I try to think of each of us as having our own talents. So true however, we can get caught up in feeling like we fall short when compared to others. Thanks for sharing this! so insightful.
(So does this mean I can’t be you then? 🙂 )
.-= Vicky´s last blog ..How do you? =-.
Oh I think we all feel that way sometimes. I know I do, but I just have to try to be the best me I can be. Great post. Hugs, Marty
.-= Marty´s last blog ..Metamorphosis Monday – Holiday Cloche Party =-.
Thanks, Robin for the encouragement! I fight those too common feelings with a reminder of who God says that I am. I’ve learned that my feelings are real, but they aren’t necessarily true.
Have a beautiful. wonderful, so good, extra great day!
You are a great encourager…thanks for the Good Cheer each and every day!
.-= Nan´s last blog .. =-.
Thanks for the important reminder!
Oh truer words were never spoken……..failureitis is a temptation from the devil, isn’t it? It’s so easy to compare and complain……..your sweet Daddy’s right.
I often am in awe of you and your wisdom…….and love that I get to visit you here on your blog…….keep sharing, honeybunch.
Friends help friends be a better “who they are”…….
Suzanne
.-= suzanne´s last blog ..homemade gifts? =-.
This is something I find myself falling into and I really appreciate you reminding me to be me.
I can relate to that from time to time. I do like the pastor’s way of looking at it and will remember that next time I feel those failure feelings coming on.
.-= Kim´s last blog ..Seasons Change =-.
I could have written your post. I’m harder on myself than anyone else could ever be. However, I’ve learned to also forgive myself and accept me for me. Imperfections and all. One famous blogger, Nester says, “It’s doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful” about home decor. Well, I try to remind myself of that about me too. No where near ‘perfect’ but I can polish it up and Shine!
.-= Sherri S´s last blog ..Crafty Sneak Peak =-.
OH! I love what Sherri said, “I can polish it up and SHINE”!!!!!!!!! LOVE that!!! This came at the PERFECT time, Robin. I just quit my job yesterday: I have been there 13 years, LOVED 12 of them but this past year has been a nightmare and I was beginning to feel Failuritis too. But I know in my heart and soul that I did GOOD work and one person can NOT make me into a failure. Thank you so much Robin. I think your Dad was right, you had to do this post NOT because you are a failure but to inspire all of us to be WHO WE ARE and the best WE can be! XO, Pinky
Pinky! This was a big day yesterday! You sound ok…good. Prayers for you to have direction and … fun! love to you.
Interesting topic! So relevant! I have problems with saying the “correct” thing…something else always comes out of my mouth! So I have avoided PTA meetings and the like. But I can still encourage folks one on one…so I figure that’s my thing. I guess the pressure is off of me to become a politician. LOL! Have a great week!
Oh, Robin! You made me feel not so alone today. I have those feelings and have to remind myself that God loves me just the way I am. He will give me whatever talents & gifts I need to fulfill His purpose for ME. Thank you for sharing your feelings and inspiring me today.
Hi Robin, love your post today, I also feel, many times, that I don’t live up to my potential, I try not to compare myself with others, sometimes its very hard not to do that…We are all unique.
Have a great evening!
.-= Barb Boyack´s last blog ..MERRY PINK SATURDAY =-.
EVERY DAY I fight that annoying voice in my head that says, “not good enough Erika”. At least these days I recognize it as the opposite of the voice of Truth and I can combat it with “ah, but He is enough:)” Whoo hoo great post! Always love your transparency friend. Sigh, still wish we lived close enough to share a peppermint mocha:) Love to you!
.-= Erika Chapman´s last blog ..Living it out =-.
Erika…me too Sista!!!
I think the feeling goes hand-in-hand with parenthood. I question myself often, wonder if I’m handling things correctly, not leaving anything out…and then I feel like a failure when anything goes wrong.
I love the message today. Being a right-brained person, I’m often doing things differently. Not worse, not better, just unique to what God has in store for me. I remind myself often.
.-= [email protected]´s last blog ..Yes, it’s still fall! =-.
It was a great day when I set myself free of trying to compete with others. Now I am happy just to make myself better every day. Thanks for a terrific post. It really got me thinking.
I’m always comparing, Robin. It’s really not beneficial for me or for the person I am comparing myself to. It kindof hurts them for me to be wanting something they are.
.-= Aubien´s last blog ..I forgot something, and something else … =-.
Its nice to see We are not alone. So many of us feel the same way and have the same struggle. I think Satan uses the feeling of failure and self defeating thoughts to keep us from shining brightly for Christ and furthering His kingdom. When we are focused on our weakness and inability it cripples us instead of looking to our Strength. I love that God doesn’t compare each of our relationships with Him. Each one is individual and unique. Thank you for the reminder and encouragement. 🙂 love you.
I think now, for me, I catch myself comparing myself to the “self” I used to be… we have to remind ourselves in every stage in our lives that our own gifts change, too. We are responsible for this moment… hard to remember sometimes!
Love you, girl…
.-= gitz´s last blog ..Grading On A Curve =-.