Things forgotten. Missed deadlines. Last-minute changes to plans. It’s inevitable. No matter how prepared we try to be or how well we are at something, we will make mistakes. We’ll forget things and sometimes just say the wrong things. And sometimes, we can’t keep up with everything, and that’s okay. Just the other day, I came out of the store with three things but not the one thing I went to the store for in the first place. And I probably forgot what I needed all because my mind was overthinking all the things I felt I didn’t get right this past week. And then Jesus reminds me to find grace even in the mistakes.
Do you ever wish you had a redo button? Have you ever been disappointed because you forgot to do something? Or maybe you feel the defeat when your plans don’t seem to turn out right? The good news is, it’s okay. And we don’t need a redo button because Jesus invites us to receive grace despite our mistakes.
For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:15-16
Jesus shows compassion right there in the middle of our mistakes. When I’m overthinking about something I’ve not done or critiquing my own words, Jesus responds with grace. We don’t always have to get it right. So when we make a mistake, we should remember to show grace to ourselves instead of criticizing ourselves. And sometimes, we just need to laugh and move on.
The world may try to display a perfected way of life, but the truth is, we all stumble. Instagram may only show glamor, but mistakes and imperfection are part of all of us. We’ll say the wrong things and not always follow through. We’ll make mistakes and fall short sometimes. With Jesus though, we can get up and keep going.
Perfectionism. While Jesus is perfect, we are not. It’s easy to get stuck there when we anticipate our plans to go exactly as we envision or if we’re trying to measure up in any way. Here’s the thing, none of us will be perfect at anything. The gifted dancer can stumble, or a musician can miss a note.
Forget the glamor. Imperfect is beautiful, too.
While we may not recognize the beauty in our imperfections at first, I believe we will find the beauty in our mistakes when we choose to learn and grow from them. Mistakes make us humble, and mistakes make us grow.
Acknowledge your mistakes and talk to Jesus about them. Give it to Him and receive His grace so you can keep going. I think a lot of times, I make mistakes when I’m trying to juggle too many things at once. I’m not a good multi-tasker. I like to focus on one thing. On the other hand, my mind fills with what seems like a zillion thoughts, and when that happens, the mistakes come.
Keep up with what matters most.
Don’t give up. Just keep up with what matters most. If you didn’t get to everything you thought you would today, that’s okay. If you make a mistake, that’s okay, too. Give yourself grace and celebrate what you did accomplish. And if all you do today is sit and reflect with Jesus, that’s all that matters.
If things don’t go right, it’s going to be alright. Cover it with grace and keep on going.
This is such an encouragement!
Yes! This year has actually been some life lessons for me through my mistakes! The biggest mistake I made helped humble me and I can see where I’ve grown from it. It had also taught me to truly give grace to others. Truth is…we will all fail. But God! He never does!
Crystal, so cool when God takes what the enemy may have meant for harm and turns it for our good. He takes what we think we’ve messed up and turns it into a message. Maybe if we learned from it it wasn’t actually a mistake at all? I don’t know, but so glad God’s mercies are new on the daily!