Failure is NOT an Option! | Welcome to My Place!

I have discovered more and more over the years that I have run an Online ministry that “failure is not an option.” Do not misunderstand me, I DO think that if you lead, you are to uphold a standard. If we do fail though, we must repent, and in cases where sin is rampant in our lives even step down from leadership positions. As ministry leaders, we SHOULD be above reproach…

However, does that mean perfection is to be expected?

Well, unfortunately, people DO expect me to be perfect. At least that is the impression they leave me to believe. If I let someone down or do not perform to THEIR human expectations…OFF with my head! I mean seriously, I have lost members because of simple mistakes, let downs and not living up to expectations. It’s an awful feeling for the one (me) left to wonder where I went wrong…Is something wrong with me? Am I really making a difference for His Kingdom? What could I have done better?

I mean, to be frank…who do these people think they are??? I am tired of being judged by fellow sinners in need of the SAME Savior I serve. I am human. I am NOT…never claimed to be…and never will be perfect…as long as I live on this planet in its current state. I fail.

WOW!

Hard to believe, huh? A devotional writing, God fearing, Bible believing, super conservative, Moms of Faith ministry leading, wife and homeschooling Mom of two fails…

Oh and are you sitting down???

NEWS FLASH: I do it EVERY day!

Shocking isn’t it??

So, please, to all my critics and those I have failed…PLEASE accept my sincere apology…really…not trying to be sarcastic. JUST honest. I am sorry for my failures. My only advice is to put your expectations in CHRIST, not man. Humanity will ALWAYS let you down. God will never let you down!

I will end this with two final thoughts from the Word…

For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you use to deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you. - Matthew 7:2.

There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you. - James 2:13

Hmmm…something to chew on, eh?

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Posted in: Gab Fests, God Talk, Life is Learning, Me, Ministry, My Stuff, Ramblings

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 25th, 2009 at 11:51 am and is filed under Gab Fests, God Talk, Life is Learning, Me, Ministry, My Stuff, Ramblings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

15 Responses to “Failure is NOT an Option!”

Donna Sweet August 25th, 2009 at 12:19 pm

Lara,
I love your honesty! You’re so right! We’re all human and sad to say we mess up quite often. Praise God for His unending mercy and grace! With a ministry like this you’re bound to have people blab at you all the time. I for one think you’re doing an awesome job!! Stand strong dear friend. the Lord will uphold you with His righteous right hand. Sending prayers and hugs your way today.
In Christ, Donna <

MariLee August 25th, 2009 at 12:21 pm

Oh, Lara!

I’m sorry you felt such stress! We’ve all been there, & I feel for you! I’ve come to realize (through ALOT of hard knocks) that the only one I have to worry about pleasing is God!!

You are in my prayers! Thank you for all you do! You are a blessing to me and to sooo many!

In Christ,
MariLee

Lara August 25th, 2009 at 12:29 pm

Thank you, ladies. Unfortunately, this post has ALREADY offended someone!

Krista August 25th, 2009 at 12:32 pm

It sounds like you have really been knocked down by criticism. I’m praying for your encouragement, dear sister. I have been struggling with this exact thing over the summer; and the Lord has revealed some insight to my husband and myself regarding our various ministries; just as those who are criticizing you should put their expectations on Christ; so should you put your expectations of your personal and your ministries’ acceptance on the Lord. The enemy will search for whatever foothold to bring you down; but only in Christ can we withstand our adversaries. Keep being open and honest in your walk with the Lord; and He will see you through. I am praying for you now.

kim August 25th, 2009 at 12:38 pm

I am so sorry you have been made to feel this way. I have logged in awhile (just been busy) so I must have missed something. It sickens and saddens me that the Body of Christ would act this way. I think you do a wonderful job! Thanks and God Bless!

Lisa Dozier August 25th, 2009 at 3:03 pm

Lara- If you were “perfect” then you would have no place in leadership or ministry as none of us are and if we think so then God can’t use us. We can’t serve God without persecution from others and it is hurtful, but God uses this to strengthen us and produce fruit for His Glory. Don’t lose hope, persevere, forgive those that accuse you and rejoice that the Lord will bless you during this difficult time. I am praying the Lord will guard your heart and mind in him and give you peace. hugs my dear- Lisa

Richele August 25th, 2009 at 3:41 pm

I am so sorry you are experiencing so much pressure. Of course you are not perfect…NO ONE is perfect. There will always be someone who expects far too much, someone disappointed, someone complaining, someone who thinks we didn’t do something right. Don’t sweat it! Most of the time, those people have problems that have nothing to do with you and that you cannot solve. Remember when I complained about MOF…and said the I was disappointed in MOF?? Well, guess what? I was the problem…NOT YOU. I was going through something and transferred those feelings to MOF. Thankfully, I realized that and thankfully you were patient and understanding. You are doing a terrific job! I honestly don’t know how you juggle so much. You have a heart for the Lord and are not afraid to share it. You don’t run MOF for her members as much as you run it to glorify God. Remember who you serve…and why you server. Forget about the ones who will never be pleased. Keep your eyes up! You are a tremendous blessing and I can see God working through you.

Becki August 25th, 2009 at 5:41 pm

It’s been my experience that it is usually other Christians who throw judgment at you the harshest.. sad, but true. Usually it is because they see the power in your relationship with God and wish they had it for themselves..

Hang in there. I think you are awesome and have always admired you.

And yep, we all have failures and it is perfectly ok – we are flawed by design. God made us humans, He knew we would mess up – that’s why He sent us Jesus.

Becky August 25th, 2009 at 5:43 pm

Lara… I love you and think you do a terrific job with everything that you balance… You are such a blessing to me and many others…The Lord is working through you!! I am praying for you and this situation.

Love you!!

Debbie August 26th, 2009 at 5:52 am

Lara, being in the ministry puts a big ol’ target right between your eyes. If the enemy isn’t blatant about attacking you, he will certainly resort to friendly fire in an attempt to knock you down.

If believers in Jesus are going to argue over small, insignificant matters – it only keeps us from building the Kingdom for God. Period.

There are those who prey upon Christian leaders because it makes them feel better about themselves. There are those who prey upon Christian leaders because they are not listening to God’s voice in their lives. And there are those – who claim to be Christians – who don’t know Jesus at all and prey upon Christian leaders out of the evil in their own hearts.

DON’T LOSE HEART! We are in troubled times, difficult days, and the impact the MOF ministries has (as well as other things you have your hand in) is obviously causing trouble for the enemy camp.

2 Corinthians 4:8-10-
We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

And don’t forget that sometimes when this happens you HAVE to shake it off:
Act 13:49-52
And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Let them rage and rant and criticize and tear down. They will answer to God for it.

Lara August 26th, 2009 at 11:38 am

WOW! Thank you ladies for all the encouraging words!! You have NO idea how much I needed them and what it means to me to know I have support!! (((hugs))) THANK YOU for taking the time to speak into my life! God Bless all of YOU! <3

Heather @ CSAHM August 26th, 2009 at 2:28 pm

What an encouraging post AND comments! Lara, you are surrounded by awesome God fearing woman. That just goes to show that you ARE serving God! What an encouragement to have so many woman who speak the truth and don’t shy away from it.

I’m so proud of you, Lara! You have no idea what MOF has done for me personally in my walk with Christ. I love you. Always praying for you. {{{hugs}}}

Carrie August 29th, 2009 at 12:46 pm

THE MORE GOOD YOU DO THE KINDOM OF GOD THE MORE THE DEVIL WILL FIGHT YOU!

Hold your head up girl!

Hazel September 7th, 2009 at 8:01 pm

Hello Lara,

Well, I’m new around here and I just had to read this post from your profile page off of MOF. As someone who is also in the ministry and a wife of a man who is also in the ministry, this post echoes and sums up everything my husband and I keeps on saying over and over to those we minister to. I guess that is the natural state of human beings, to lose their focus on Christ and depend, even their spiritual growth, on the minister.

And it is the same for us. The Lord is our strength and we must keep our eyes trained to the Cross. Paul said we must run the race, for brethren in the ministry, this is our race and we must never let the obstacles distract us from getting to the finish line.

God bless, Sister!

Hazel

khaki January 4th, 2010 at 4:25 pm

Well, I just joined a few minutes ago and this was the first post I read. I’ve been on church staff for 15 years and I know being hurt in ministry can hurt worse than when it is in the “world”. But I wanted to share something my mom taught me long ago, when we feel wrongfully accused or hurt, try to remember that we don’t know what the accuser is going through–what other pain/struggle they may be enduring, and taking out on us. I know I have been guilty of taking out my pain on undeserving ones, and I know I need grace for those times as often as I need to give grace!
Blessings,
khaki