The only carryover I had on campus was in my year two. It was a season I would not forget. I had gone to check my result on the noticeboard. Immediately I saw an “F” on the course, I uttered these words; “Thank you, Lord, for allowing it.” I learnt a lot from that experience.

Friend, failure is not final, and neither is it fatal (Micah 7:8). The way you handle failure reveals your attitude and maturity. We don’t truly know you until we check your behaviour during challenging season (2 Corinthians 4:6-10). Everybody can say “Thank you Jesus” when things are going their way, but true worshippers are those who still give thanks during dark moments (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Your Christian character is forged during challenging times (James 1:1-5). We don’t know how patient you are until you can face delay and still give life your best shot (James 5:11). We don’t know if you have the right esteem yet until you can walk through failure with your head high up (Philippians 4:12-13). I had to start attending classes for my carryover course. I would meet younger students in class and relate properly even when I was their pastor in the fellowship.

Perhaps the best lesson you can learn from failure is having to relate with the failures of others (Hebrews 4:15). Sometimes, we think that other people fail because they are not smart or serious enough. But when you find yourself in one, it helps you to deal gently with people; you become comforting, not condemning (Isaiah 42:1-4, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

I realise I had helped many more students handle their failures after my experience in part two. It’s humbling to see God use you to give other people direction. Now, you do this as “a high priest” that can be touched (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus can be touched; He can relate with our struggles because he went through what we are going through. Leaders, don’t underestimate the power of personal experience in your quest for influence.

Sometimes, sharing information make people informed, but sharing life experience make them transformed (Philippians 4:12-13). If you can handle today’s failures and challenges well, it would prepare you for a life of positive influence. What else did I do? I was real. Like Paul, I did not try to package failure or live in pretence (2 Corinthians 12:7-9). I faced it headlong. I needed to come out of it victoriously, not just for me but for the glory of God. I leveraged God’s grace, and it was more than sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:8-9). Amen!

‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria