Does Failure Have Any Benefits?
For most of us, failure feels like the cement block that is tugging us to the bottom of the lake. But is failure the last word? Does it speak a word about our life that is exhaustive and definitive?
J. K. Rowling — whose emergence from poverty and failure is renowned — spoke in 2008 at Harvard’s graduation with these reflections on failure:
“You might never fail on the scale I did, but some failure in life is inevitable. It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case, you fail by default.
‘Failure gave me an inner security that I had never attained by passing examinations. Failure taught me things about myself that I could have learned no other way. I discovered that I had a strong will, and more discipline than I had suspected; I also found out that I had friends whose value was truly above the price of rubies.
“The knowledge that you have emerged wiser and stronger from setbacks means that you are, ever after, secure in your ability to survive. You will never truly know yourself, or the strength of your relationships, until both have been tested by adversity. Such knowledge is a true gift, for all that it is painfully won, and it has been worth more than any qualification I ever earned.”
The first part of her speech can be viewed here:
“Failure taught me things about myself that I could have learned no other way.” I add my voice as a second to that. And as a result, life has been better (though at times sadder).
A prof in grad school at ACU in my Advanced Psychotherapeutic Techniques class taught us that there is no failure, only feedback. It’s what you do after receiving the feedback that is important.
I believe failure has worked in my life much like the directional systems do on the space shuttles …. they are passive until the ship goes off course, then they awaken – bringing the ship back on the right track and sure course.
Failures have awakened me to missteps, mistakes and downright failures. God has then helped me get back on track with Him. He never stops blessing me, and btw, I never stop misstepping.
Thank You, Father for Your grace!!!
I think it really does depend on how you respond to the failure. Which is what I think everyone else who has commented has said as well. I just wanted to add my agreement.
There are several benefits I see. For one, we learn to depend on God more. As Paul would say to the Corinthian church when he and companions were close to death they learned to rely on God and His strength.
Second, we learn better by failures also.
Third, we learn perseverance. Keep at it until we get it right.
Thanks for sharing this — watched the entire speech. Love JK Rowling.
Ergo, it is entirely loving to hope that someone fails at the most appropriate time. Or at least we could conclude that hoping someone fails cannot or should not be angrily or contemptuously dismissed as mere hatred, bigotry, or ideological chauvinism. Right?
*chuckle*
qb