You Don’t Fail for Trying

To be honest, whenever I used to try anything new, I was scared.

Why? Because I used to be overly concerned about how I came across to people.

I feared that people judged me for always starting new endeavors, like building a startup or starting a new blog. What made it worse was that I wanted the public support for these endeavors. So I feared what they would think if they saw me starting something new, yet again.

But I’ve learned something in this time, and it’s calming me about starting new things.

I used to think that I could be perceived as a failure for trying new things; but the truth is, you don’t fail for trying. You only fail when you give up.

I love the story where Jesus invites Peter to step out onto the water. He simply says, “Come,” like He wants Peter to try. Jesus only scolds Peter after Peter had given up. Peter didn’t fail by stepping out on the water; he failed when he gave up.

The same applies to us. Sometimes, people can try to make us feel as though we’re failures for starting many new endeavors or trying new things. But we’re just trying to find our balance. The actual trying isn’t failure.

But the thing is, when you commit to something and then give it up, that’s failure.http://ctt.ec/77b6N+" src="http://clicktotweet.com/img/bg-twitter.png" /> It’s like Peter, who committed to walking on water only to give up when he took his eyes off the prize. Only then was he reprimanded by Jesus. Jesus didn’t scold him for wanting to come out on the water.

So when you feel the heat of public rejection for trying something new, realize you’re not a failure, no matter how people might make you feel. You only fail when you give up.