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Biblical Advice to Recover From Painful Mistakes and Failures

By April 30, 2009March 17th, 2014Devotional, Encouragement

Yesterday I shared a post about the consequences of making mistakes after a person ignores repeated advice from others. It was based on a Biblical principle found in Proverbs 29:1. You can read that post HERE.

I guess a follow up post is in order, because some reading yesterday’s post may have already made the mistake of ignoring wisdom and now you are reaping the consequences. What should you do? How do you respond to mistakes already made?

Here are some suggestions:

  1. Recognize that you cannot erase them now. (Ecclesiastes 11:3) Quit trying to hide them, and begin to embrace the experience of your past for how the pain can benefit you and others in the future.
  2. Receive grace and forgiveness. (Hebrews 4:16) There is nothing in your past God cannot forgive. NOTHING.
  3. Stop the bleeding. (Ecclesiastes 10:1) Quit making the same mistakes over and over again. Heed the wisdom of others now before you receive further injury.
  4. Decide to be a student of wisdom. (Proverbs 15:22) Start listening to wise advice. Surround yourself with people who will speak truth into your life.
  5. Move forward with your life and help others. (2 Timothy 2:2) Don’t allow the past to control your future. Instead, let it help you live better and stronger and then use the gained experience to help others avoid your painful mistakes.

What suggestions do you have for people following a costly failure or mistake?

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Ron Edmondson

Author Ron Edmondson

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Join the discussion 3 Comments

  • Deborah J. Boyd says:

    Ron has hit the nail on the head with this comment on mistakes and errors. I see so many people wasting their life dwelling in the past. Some can’t forgive themselves, some are set in dysfunctional modes but afraid of change, and some are in denial thinking that what they did in the past will still work. Insanity is the definition of doing the same things and expecting different results. We are born to create & change

  • mindi says:

    Don’t disconnect from church. Church is not a circus, and you don’t have to perform there. Find a small group that accepts you as you are, not as you were, or hope to become. A book that can help your relationship with the Lord is: The Only Necessary Thing by Henri Nouwen.