What is the Difference Between Failure and a Setback?

Failure Or Setback?

Have you ever failed or made a mistake? Have you ever not hit the goal you were shooting for? Good, then this is for you. The fact that you have failed is proof that you are not finished. Failures and mistakes can be a bridge, not a barricade to success. Failure may look like a fact, but it is just an opinion. Successful people believe that mistakes are just feedback. It is not how far you fall, but how high you bounce that makes all the difference.

Four Steps To Rebound From A Setback

Remember That No One Is Immune To Setbacks - Everyone makes mistakes. Even the greatest athletes do not make the plays every time. Lance Berkman does not hit home runs every time. David Carr does not throw touchdown passes every time. Even Michael Jordan did not make every shot. The only perfect person who never failed was Jesus Christ - and face it, you are not Him! "Anyone who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful. But if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance." Proverbs. 28:13 (LB)

Discover What Went Wrong - Failure is a great teacher, but it is not our undertaker. Failure is a delay, not a defeat. A successful person is big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from them and strong enough to correct them. Ask yourself some questions: What went wrong? Did I not plan well? Did I miss something or have the wrong goal? What could I have done different? Find out what when wrong - then fix it!

Learn the Lesson and Forget the Details - When you learn what was wrong, make it right. Shore up your weak spots. Vernon Sander says, "Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, then the lesson afterwards." Experience is what you get when you are looking for something else. The experience of failure will always make you bitter or better. The choice is yours. The good news is that God has no plans that end in failure for His Children. "I will bless you with a future filled with hope - a future of success, not of suffering." Jeremiah 29:11 (CEV)

Do Not Give Up! - Do not sit out just because you have failed. Do no quit. You will probably learn more from your failures than you ever will by your success. Success consists of getting up just one time more than you fell down. "You don't drown by falling in the water; you drown by staying there." So get up and go on!

"Forget what is behind, and struggle for what is ahead. Run toward the goal so that one can win the prize! Philippians 3:13-14 (para)

What is the difference between Failure and A Setback? Just One Thing: QUITTING! So, Do Not Give up!

Is Your Life Consistant?

Are You Tossed To and Fro or Experiencing an Even Flow?

On of the biggest challenges in life today is to keep things on an even keel. Life is filled with up and downs, serenity and turmoil, drudgery and ecstasy, pleasure and pain -- sometimes all in the same day. Not only is this true of life, it is true in marriage, business and almost all other relationships. How do you stay levelheaded when all those around you are losing theirs?

Four Keys To a Stable, Consistent Life

• Watch Whom You Listen To - "God blesses those people who refuse evil advice ….” - There are times in our lives that we seek advice from other people. There are many sources of advice that are out there. Volumes of books are written about almost every subject from business leadership to familial relations. The question to evaluate all counsel is: Does it square with God's Word? That is the ultimate question.

• Watch Who You Follow & Spend Time With - "God blesses those people who... won't follow sinners and won't join in sneering at God. " - You can tell a lot by a person when you find out who his heros are. Who is your hero? Who is your mentor? Who is it you look to and say, "I wanna be like him!" We can look to Jesus Christ and say, I want to live like Him. Be careful whom you emulate. John 13:15 (NIV) "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." Be careful who you spend time with. You cannot run with the dogs and not get fleas. You cannot roll in the mud with the swine and expect to remain clean. You cannot soar with the eagles when you have been playing with the turkeys! (Proverbs 14:7 CEV) "Stay away from fools, or you won't learn a thing."

• Choose To Follow God's Laws - "God blesses those people who ... the Law of the Lord makes them happy…." What rules do you play by, the worlds rules or God's rules? Your answer will effect the way you raise your children, run your business or treat your spouse. (Psalm 37:3 para) "Trust in the Lord and do what is right; if you do this God will bless your life."

• Concentrate On Pleasing Him - "God blesses those people who… think about it day and night." - Who are you ultimately trying to please? Are you living for the here and now or storing up treasure in heaven? Are your values temporal or eternal?

"God blesses those people who refuse evil advice and won't follow sinners or join in sneering at God. Instead, the Law of the Lord makes them happy and they think about it day and night." Psalm 1:1-2

The Power of Words

One of the easiest ways to determine what a person is like is to listen to his words. Words betray a person. The Bible says that kind people speak kind words and that evil-hearted people have words filled with harm.

People who have learned this find that words spoken either can destroy people or be used to build people up. Words are incredibly powerful. They can build up a relationship, a company, even a church or the can destroy them just a quickly. Words are incredibly powerful.

What Are Some Ways Words Can Destroy?

• Through Lies - Are the words you speak true and honest? Or are you deceptive in your words and business practices? "The Lord hates every liar, but He is a friend of all who can be trusted." Proverbs 12:22
• Through Words of Anger - You have heard it before, but counting to ten before opening your mouth has helped many relationships. "A kind answer soothes angry feelings, but harsh words stir them up." Proverbs 15:1
• Through Gossip - Would you say that about them if there were standing next to you? Would you want someone to say that about you? "Gossip is no good! It causes hard feelings and comes between friends." Proverbs 16:28

What Are Some Ways Words Can Build?

• Through Words of Encouragement - Speak words that encourage others. Any fool can tear something down, but it takes a wise man to build up something or someone. "Kind words are like honey - they cheer you up and make you feel strong." Proverbs 16:24
• Through Words of Good Report - No matter how hard you have to look, find something good and talk about it! "If you can't say anything good, then don't say anything at all!" "Focus your attention on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly and proper. Don't ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise." Philippians 4:8
• Through Words of Cheerfulness - Speak kind words that bring joy and healing to people. "Sharp words cut like a sword, but words of wisdom heal." Proverbs 12:18

Consider this short poem entitled “Power of Words:”
A careless word may kindle strife
A cruel word may wreak a life
A bitter word may hate instill
A brutal word may smite and kill

A gracious word may smooth the way
A joyous word may light the day
A timely word may lessen stress
A loving word may heal and bless

Is This Right or Is This Wrong?

Right or Wrong? That is the Question!

How many times, usually while watching the evening news, have you asked yourself the question, “How could they not know what they were doing was wrong?” It is amazing how seemingly wise and sane people can be blinded or demonstrate such a disregard for doing what is right.

How do you determine what is right and wrong? Years ago, Harry Emmerson Fosdick, professor at Union Theological Seminary, developed a formula that helped him determine right from wrong. It is incredibly practical as we struggle with that same challenge today.

Six Ways To Tell Right From Wrong

• The Common Sense Test - Are you simply being foolish? How would you judge someone else if they did the same thing? “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:2 NIV
• The Sportsmanship Test - Are you playing fair? How would you feel if someone else did the same thing to you? If it is not right for everyone, it is probably not right for anyone. “Treat others the way you would want them to treat you.” Matthew 7:12 CEV
• The Best Self-Test - Are you trying to be the best that you can be? Will it help you become a better person? “Work hard at whatever you do.” Ecclesiastes 9:10 CEV
• The Publicity Test - If everyone knew what you were doing, would you still do it? It is surprising how the light of public knowledge changes our perspective and our behavior. “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 NIV
• The Most Admired Person Test – Would the person you most admired do this? If you told that person about it, would you feel proud or ashamed? “Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” 1 Peter 2:21 NIV
• The Foresight Test – What can possibly go wrong? Could you live with the consequences? “Do not brag about tomorrow! Each day brings its own surprises.” Proverbs 27:1 CEV

Right is right, even if everyone is against it; and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. William Penn

Being Scared to Death!

The Worst Liars In The World Are Your Own Fears

Flashback: It was 1978, I had just dropped off my date and made my way to my apartment, alone. It was dark, late and incredibly scary. We had just watched the first of what would be many of the Michael Myers' "Halloween" movies. I was scared. Although it was just a movie -- and at 18, I knew better I was still scared. When I walked into my apartment, I turned on the light, sat on the couch and listened. I heard things I had never heard before: noises -- creepy noises; and I was convinced I would not live through the night. Paralyzed with fear, I ended up sleeping on the couch. FEAR: False Emotions Appearing Real

It is funny now (some of you are even grinning), but perhaps you are fearful of things in your own life that are just as real as Michael Myers was to me that night. Maybe they even have you paralyzed, sleeping on the couch afraid to act. FEAR: False Emotions Appearing Real

Look At What Fear Does

• Fear Makes You Stop Growing In Potential - Fear keeps your talents locked up, holds you back and causes you to miss opportunities. Are you afraid to try something new just because you are afraid? One of the greatest discoveries you can make is to find that you can do what you are afraid you cannot do.
• Fear Makes You Stop Reaching Out In Your Relationships - Fear prevents you from being honest with people. You fear rejection, so you wear a mask, pretend to be what you are not, and then deny what you really feel. Fear also keeps you from making commitments. You may be afraid of being hurt again. Fear prevents true intimacy because fearful people have a hard time giving and receiving love. Your fears affect everyone you relate to.
• Fear Makes You Stop Enjoying Life - You cannot be happy and fearful at the same time. An old man was asked what had robbed him of joy in his life. His answer was, "Things that never happened." How often are you worn out by your worries?
• Fear Makes You Stop Striving For Success In Life - How many decisions have you made based on fear? How many times have you sold yourself short because of fear? False Emotions Appearing Real.

What Should You Do With Your Fears?

• Pray - "Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything." Philippians 4:6a CEV
• Turn It over To God - "God cares for you, so turn all of your worries over to Him." 1 Peter 5:7 CEV
• Trust Him - "When I am afraid, I keep trusting you. I praise your promises! I trust you and am not afraid. No one can harm me." Psalm 56:3-4 CEV