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

Reset and Rise Scripture

In leadership, failure is like a curve in the road, not a dead end. Mistakes are moments, not your whole story. They’re like that friend who teaches you lessons you didn’t ask for but end up needing. When we take our mistakes to God, He shows us what we can learn and helps us level up. Don’t let failure steal the confidence you need to lead.

Let’s rewind and visit Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane. In this pivotal moment, Jesus asked Peter, James, and John to “stay here and watch” while He prayed (Matthew 26: 36-38). However, despite their good intentions, each time Jesus returned, He found them fast asleep. Exhaustion had taken over, and even though their spirits were willing, their flesh was weak (Matthew 26:41).

Peter wanted to stay strong for Jesus, but his humanity got the better of him. This moment wasn’t a reflection of his love for Christ; it was simply a human weakness. Peter’s failure to stay awake served as a crucial wake-up call. It highlighted his limitations and the importance of vigilance in his faith. When Jesus gently rebuked him (Matthew 26:39-46), it wasn’t a moment of shame but an opportunity for growth. Jesus used this moment to teach His disciples the importance of being spiritually alert and prepared, especially during challenging times. In essence, this experience equipped Peter with valuable lessons about awareness and resilience—lessons that would shape his journey and leadership in the early Church.

Why do I bring this up? Because bouncing back from failure is much harder if we don’t even know what tripped us in the first place! As leaders, we must recognize our failures and accept their impact. This involves being honest with ourselves about what went wrong without falling into self-pity or denial.

Reflecting on our failures—whether due to human limits, poor choices, or unforeseen obstacles—helps us gain a clear picture of what went wrong. Once we identify the root causes, we can make the necessary adjustments to avoid repeating the same mistakes. This self-reflection not only builds resilience; it also enhances our self-awareness and promotes personal and professional growth. By learning from past mistakes, we gain the insight needed to make wiser decisions, inspire others, and tackle challenges with renewed confidence.

Just as Peter’s lapse was a brief episode in his larger journey, our setbacks are simply chapters in the story of our growth. By understanding the reasons behind our stumbles—whether they stem from fatigue or deeper issues—we can reset and rise, turning these moments into valuable lessons. Resetting and rising after failure involves acknowledging what went wrong, learning from it, and then recommitting ourselves to move forward with God’s strength, mercy, and grace. We can allow God to transform our setbacks into stepping stones. If we let Him, God will use our failures to build His church and inspire others!

Discussion Questions:

• How have you responded to past failures, and what lessons did you learn from them that helped you grow?
• How can you shift your perspective to see failure as an opportunity for growth rather than a setback?
• What areas in your leadership or personal life are most vulnerable to failure, and how can you create better support systems to reduce the likelihood of failure?