In our culture, we only seem to accept success. To claim that we will try seems to be leaving room for failure. I personally think this is ridiculous. That is like saying if I’m not absolutely positive I’ll finish a race or reach the mountain summit I shouldn’t even attempt it. For this reason I prefer another, more accurate word: strive.
When we strive we are saying that we know we may fail but this doesn’t mean we won’t give it our full effort. We recognize that in many areas we will fall short yet the attempt is still worth it. Click To TweetYoda may say “Do or Do not, there is no try.” I prefer another commonly used/overused quote in this case.
“Shoot for the moon, even if you miss you’ll land among the stars.” -Les Brown
I would say “Don’t let fear of failure stop you from trying.”
Failure is the best way from which we can learn, and this is said as someone who hates to fail. But if I only attempt what I know I can succeed at, my life will be very small. How will I grow if I never stretch myself? This doesn’t mean being entirely foolish or reckless, but it can mean taking risks and pursuing new challenges.
My faith is in a continual state of growth and testing. I often fail. But I by no means give up striving. I know that it is only through Christ that I find success at all. Really, I should fail a whole lot more often. But by his grace and mercy I have experienced a measure of victory in this life. But there is so much more to come.
My attempts can be no better than a shadow of what is ahead, veiled as it may be. But with God’s help I plan to keep striving for as long as I’m given on this earth.
And if I’m honest, I’d like that time to be longer rather than shorter, but that is my own issue between me and God. We’re working on it.
