Recall the saying “Success results from good judgement, and good judgement results from experience, and experience results from bad judgements”. A toddler falls many times while learning to walk and run. Do we chastise the toddler for falling? Not unless you’re a sick one. So why should we chastise ourselves when we “fall down”, perhaps quite often, on our way to achieving some goal? Achieving goals doesn’t have to be “the beatings will continue until morale improves”. And let’s throw out the discouragement while we are at it. Isn’t it really the same feeling as feeling hopeless or self pity? Does the toddler feel hopeless or full of self pity or discouragement when he/she falls down? No, they seem even more determined to walk, and when they final succeed and are showered with praise their custodian(s) the look of joy and accomplishment on their face is priceless.
Take heart, know this: The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
