For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes. Proverbs 24:16 

Open Q: What is the cost when we do not strive to overcome our faults or problems? What do you think? 

Main Point: Even though we see wicked people prosper and good people suffer, God will vindicate us. Jesus not only walks by our side, He picks us up and carries us through the times of darkness and confusion. And, those who do wicked to His people, there will be woes to them, and that is not fun.  

What does this mean? God wants us to have the outlook to learn from our mistakes and sin. He wants us to not keep making the same bad choices and mistakes; rather seek and give God glory and obtain success by leaning from whatever we experience and what He has us do (Psalm 1:1-3; 145:14; Mic. 7:7-9; Matt. 6:33; Rom. 7:14-20; 2 Cor. 12:9-10; Phil. 4:12-13).  

What can we do?  We must ask ourselves if we have sin we have personally caused? If so, repent (Rom. 7; 1 John 1:8-10; 2:1-2)!  Find out your weakness and be willing to work to overcome them (Psalm 119:1-5; James 1:5-8, 22-25)!  Do not make excuses; rather, be responsible and make a plan (1 Cor. 10:13; James 1:13; Phil. 4:13)!  Realize that God cares and has a purpose for you even in failure and He will work it out (Psalm 37:23-24; Rom. 8:28)! 

Challenge Questions: 

Q: Why would someone allow disappointment to become their identity? 

Q: How does the fear (respect) of God counteract disappointments? 

Q: What would improve with you, if you had a better willingness to learn and grow from your problems?  

How does this apply?  We can trust in God and ride out our circumstances.  Why?  If God is in control–and He is–then nothing can happen without His permission and as a result, we can take hold of Him to move us forward.  

Where is my Hope in this?  We have no need to fear failure or freak out when life gives us a bumpy ride. Thus, we will not give up where and what we are called to go and do. When we are building our confidence and conviction in Christ, we can have real effective achievements that last into eternity. We can persevere through whatever life and bad times throw at us.