There is always something to learn from our mistakes. Whether big or small, lapses in judgment always bring forth valuable lessons. I call these ‘teaching moments’. Teaching moments are powerful and can change, shape, and prepare us for our purpose. The key is to embrace the lessons learned and reject self-condemnation. That is what I had to do after realizing I wasted much of 2024 being angry at God.
Every December, I pull out my journal and read the entries from the past 12 months. I reflect on my physical, mental, and spiritual well-being at the time of each entry and compare it to the present. I have enjoyed this tradition over the years, but the truth on the pages this year stunned me. Bound between the front and back leather covers revealed the astonishing story of a frustrated woman at odds with her circumstances and mad at God for allowing them.
My immediate response to this revelation was condemnation. I begged God to forgive my haughty spirit and bratty attitude, but before I could finish my pitiful petition, I felt a loving peace envelop my spirit. God was not condemning me, so why should I condemn myself? While I made mistakes in thought, word, and action over the past year, God was not holding them against me. Instead, He was using them as a teaching moment.
Teaching moments occur when someone makes a mistake which is then used as a learning experience. In these moments, the mistake should neither be minimalized nor over-dramatized. Rather, it should be the object that invokes repentance, raises awareness, and invites healthy communication and correction.
Scripture tells us in Romans 8:28 that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. God doesn’t waste our mistakes – He redeems them. When we stumble or make poor choices, He can use those very moments to sharpen our character. Through His grace, our missteps become building blocks for something beautiful – opportunities for growth, maturity, and preparation for our purpose.
Are you angry over your current circumstances? Maybe you are like I was this year; holding a grudge over a promise that has yet to come to fruition. Whatever the reason, friend, you are not alone. We have all been knocked off-balance by our mistakes. The teaching moment I experienced revealed several important truths that God wanted me to understand about my situation. As I reflected on this encounter with His gentle correction, these key lessons emerged:
- God can handle our emotions – God created emotion and understands the human experience of frustration and anger.
- Isolation is painful but necessary when God is preparing you for a higher calling – Isolation strips away distractions and dependencies. It forces deeper reliance on God and develops character. It is during isolation that God reveals His plan and clarifies His vision for our life.
- God would rather we “Be” than “Do” – Our primary calling is to be in a relationship with God, from which proper doing naturally flows. Focus on abiding in Him rather than working for Him and everything else will fall into place.
- Surrender requires more than laying our plans at God’s feet – it’s walking away – True surrender means not checking back to see if God is handling things ‘correctly’ or offering Him suggestions on how to manage the situation. Giving up control requires trust even when we don’t understand.
- What God orders, He pays for – God provides the resources, finances, and creativity necessary to fulfill His plan. God always equips the called.
- To be a true witness to others, one must experience their pain – Effective ministry often requires experiencing others’ suffering rather than standing apart from it.
While our mistakes, teaching moments, and lessons-learned will differ, I pray those shared above and my story will bring you comfort as you experience God’s loving teaching moments in your life.
Scripture Reading
Proverbs 3:12 (Amplified Version)
For whom the Lord loves He corrects, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
Proverbs 15:31-32 (NIV)
Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise. Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, Thank you for your loving mercy and grace, even when I stumble and fall short. Forgive me for my sins and mistakes and help me to see these moments not as failures, but as opportunities to learn and grow closer to you. I’m grateful that you can use every situation in my life – even my missteps – to teach me valuable lessons and shape me for the purpose you have planned. Give me the wisdom to recognize these teaching moments and the humility to learn from them. Thank you for your patience with me and for the wonderful things you have in store for my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.