Get Up: Leading After Failure a 5 - Day Plan by Joy OguntimeinSample

God Prepares for Your Mistakes

Everyone makes mistakes. Let's be real—we've all been there. We've sent that awkward text to the wrong person, replied to an important email with a typo, dropped the ball on a big project, or said the wrong thing at the worst possible moment. Mistakes? Yeah, they're part of the game. But here's some good news: God already knows we're gonna slip up. He's not surprised. He's already worked our mistakes into His bigger plan. So, when we fall, He's got the recovery plan ready. That's not an excuse to be careless, but it is a reason to stop living in fear of failure. It's freeing, isn't it? Our screw-ups won't surprise Him and won't derail the purpose He's prepared for my life or yours.

Peter was one of Jesus' closest disciples, but he messed up a lot. In Luke 22:31-32, Jesus tells Peter straight up that Satan is coming for him, but then He says something powerful: "I've prayed for you, and when you come back, strengthen your brothers." Jesus knew Peter would deny Him three times, but He didn't focus on the failure. He focused on the comeback. Jesus had a plan for Peter's mistake — turning it into a message of strength for others. Peter's failure wasn't the end; it was just part of God's bigger plan for him.

God knows our failures before we even realize we're going to make them. Jesus didn't tell Peter, "You're going to mess up, and I'm done with you." Instead, He prayed that Peter's faith would remain intact through the failure and that he'd bounce back stronger than ever. Peter denied knowing Jesus in His most critical hour, yet Jesus still used him to build the church. Jesus told Peter, "When you have turned back"—not if, but when. He had confidence in Peter's ability to return, grow, and lead. God has that same confidence in you.

Have you ever felt like your mistakes were too big for God's grace? Like, somehow, this time, you've gone too far, and there's no way God can use you now? Let me remind you: God doesn't throw us away because of our mistakes. Instead, He takes the pieces of our mess and creates something beautiful, something purposeful. Your biggest mistake might just be the starting point for the next chapter in your story.

So what do we do with all of this? First, we need to let go of the guilt and shame that can paralyze us. If Peter had stayed stuck in his failure, the church might look very different today. But because he got back up, we see a powerful story of redemption and leadership. Second, we must trust that God is preparing us, even during our mess-ups. He knows what's coming, and He's already equipped you to turn it around. The plan hasn't changed; the path may be rocky, but the destination is the same.

Finally, remember that God doesn't just forgive you—He restores you and empowers you to help others. Jesus told Peter to strengthen his brothers after he turned back. Your story, mistakes and all can become a source of strength for someone else. So when you fall, don't stay down. Turn back, lean into God's grace, and get ready to lift others with the lessons you've learned along the way. God knows we will stumble, makes plans to pick us up, and helps us move forward in the right direction.

Discussion Questions:

• Think of a time when you felt like your mistakes disqualified you from God's plan. How does Peter's story change the way you view your failures?
• In Luke 22:31-32, Jesus tells Peter that He prayed for his faith. How does knowing that Jesus is praying for you during your hardest moments impact your confidence in bouncing back from failure?
• What steps can you take to turn your past mistakes into lessons that strengthen not only your faith but also the people around you? How can your story of failure become a source of encouragement for others?