My experience with failure.
Nobody goes into anything hoping to fail. In retrospect, the few stumbling blocks I came across as a nursing student made me a stronger being. An intensive journey of pruning that helped me realize that the “hard things” that seem unattainable are very much attainable. Literally, nothing seems too far-fetched for me unless I’m not interested.
Clinical experiences aside, a hard pill I had to swallow is that as a spiritual being, there are some failures one simply cannot pray away. There are some failures that one must go through & sometimes it’s not just about the goal at hand. It could be about self development, work ethic, grit, maturity, patience, better relationship with God etc.
The way to describe my journey of pruning is like intentionally playing with fire knowing I’ll get burned but not too burned. At the same time, coming out of the fire untouched. I̶D̶K̶,̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶s̶t̶a̶t̶e̶m̶e̶n̶t̶ ̶m̶a̶k̶e̶s̶ ̶a̶l̶o̶t̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶s̶e̶n̶s̶e̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶m̶y̶ ̶h̶e̶a̶d̶. It’s harder when God reveals that a challenge will come and while the task will be accomplished, it’ll take twice as long or cost more. Noting that cost ≠ money, this isnt always the case. I see these things as sacrifices, an act of “losing something valued” for the sake of something else which may or may not necessarily be the goal at hand.
God has a way of showing Himself in, through and after “failure”. Whether it be a failed exam, marriage, relationship, finances, career etc. Sometimes we have to go through those things trusting and knowing that God has a better plan. The focus should not be on the fact that a goal was not achieved but rather what you need to work on to better prepare for the goal you’re trying to achieve. Maybe we’re not mature enough to sustain what we think we’re ready for or the timing simply is not right but it does not mean that the goal will never be reached.
Pausing and acknowledging not knowing what to do at a certain period after failing is okay but whatever choice you make, do not give up, fail forward.
-Kafilat Shobajo
