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Jason is the founder of Ignite Student Ministries, a dynamic ministry igniting youth, young adults and university students to passionately pursue Christ and transform society in high schools, work places and universities around the world.

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The Gift of Failing

Jason VanaJason Vana

failing

Over the last twelve years, I’ve had the privilege of raising up a number of leaders.

Student leaders.
Staff leaders.
Volunteer leaders.
Mission trip leaders.
Youth group leaders.

In that time, there’s one thing that never gets any easier.

Letting them fail.

As a leader of leaders, my natural instinct is to protect them from failing — to do whatever needs to be done to make sure they succeed. Provide the right resources. Be available for advice. Pick up whatever slack they may have left.

It’s a natural reaction.
I want them to have every opportunity to succeed.

But there’s a downside to that way of thinking.
One that can cripple even the most talented of leaders.

Failing is not an obstacle to success. It’s the catalyst. Tweet this

There is value in failing. Value in falling flat on our faces and seeing our efforts go to waste. We can try to avoid it, do everything we can to protect ourselves and others from failing, but failing is good for us.

Failing teaches us what doesn’t work.
It shows us what we need to change.
It pushes us to try harder.
It causes us to move out of our comfort zone.
It makes us stronger, develops our character, and shows us we aren’t the end all-be all of our lives.

Failing is a powerful teacher. One we all need in our lives. Tweet this

I’m learning to let others fail.
To stop coming to the rescue every time the ball is dropped.

Because, ultimately, failing is a gift.
And who am I to rob anyone of that blessing?

What do you think? Is allowing others to fail at times a gift? Leave a comment below.

Background photo credit: Peter Ras via photopin cc

Jason is the founder of Ignite Student Ministries, a dynamic ministry igniting youth, young adults and university students to passionately pursue Christ and transform society in high schools, work places and universities around the world.