When Is Failure Really Failure?
- Chrislene Terilus
- Oct 9
- 3 min read
Spoiler: It's not when you think.
What if the thing that broke you is actually building you?
What if the thing that broke you is actually building you?
Let’s talk about a word we all secretly dread: failure.
Whew. Just reading it makes your stomach drop, right?
We’ve all been there—questioning our worth, second-guessing our decisions, feeling like we blew it. And the world is quick to stamp that label on you like it's permanent:
"You failed. You missed it. You're not enough."
But here’s the thing I’ve learned—sometimes failure isn’t what it looks like.
Sometimes, what feels like failure is actually God forming something deeper in you. So let me ask you what I’ve asked myself a hundred times:
👉 When is failure really failure?
1️⃣ Failure is failure when you stop showing up
Look, we all mess up. We all get it wrong sometimes. But as long as you’re still showing up—even tired, even unsure—you haven’t failed.
You’ve learned.
You’ve grown.
You’ve figured out what didn’t work—and that’s valuable.
Every “no” might just be a redirection. Every delay could be protection.
What if this wasn’t rejection... but preparation?
You don’t have to get it perfect. You just have to keep going.
2️⃣ Failure is failure when you let it define you
You are not the job you lost.
You are not the relationship that didn’t work.
You are not the dream that fell apart.
You are more than that moment.
More than that missed opportunity.
More than that detour.
You’re still becoming.
God doesn’t call you by your failures—He calls you by your future.
3️⃣ Failure is failure when it makes you quit
That’s the real danger—not in falling, but in deciding not to get back up.
I’ve learned that the enemy doesn’t win when we fail.
He wins when we give up.
When we stop dreaming, stop believing, stop praying.
But here’s the truth: God is still working behind the scenes, even when we can’t see it.
Even in the silence.
Even in the in-between.
You haven’t missed your moment.
He’s still writing your story.
🙌 In God’s hands, even failure is not wasted
Romans 8:28 says:
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him…”
All things.
Even the awkward moments.
Even the stuff you wish you could erase.
Even the heartbreaks and breakdowns.
He’s using all of it.
Nothing is wasted.
Not the time.
Not the tears.
Not even the mistakes.
So… When is failure not failure?
✔️ When it teaches you what you needed to learn
✔️ When it shows you how strong you really are
✔️ When it makes you pause, pray, and pivot
✔️ When it reminds you that grace is still greater
✔️ When it leads you closer to the purpose God has for you
💬 Final Word: You’re Not Failing. You’re Forming.
Let me remind you, because I know you might need to hear it again:
You’re not behind.
You’re not too late.
You’re not disqualified.
You are in process.
You are being stretched, refined, and strengthened.
You’re not failing—you’re forming.
And God’s not done with you.
💛 Closing Thoughts from Me to You:
If you're feeling like a failure right now—pause. Breathe.
This is just a page in the story, not the ending.
Let’s stop calling ourselves out of the race just because we tripped on the track.
Sis, that thing you thought disqualified you might be the very thing God uses to launch you.
Failure doesn’t get the final word.
Faith does.
And faith? Oh, it still moves mountains.
Now I want to hear from YOU.
💬 What’s one “failure” that ended up being a blessing in disguise for you?
Drop it in the comments. You never know who needs to read your story today.
👯♀️ Share this post with a friend who needs a reminder that they’re not alone.
💌 And if you’re not already on my email list— click the link below to join the Brave Bold Living family here so we can keep growing together.
You're not just living.
You're bravely and boldly becoming everything God created you to be.
Let’s keep going. Together.
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