{"id":3117,"date":"2015-11-01T09:00:46","date_gmt":"2015-11-01T15:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.barbdahlgren.com\/?p=3117"},"modified":"2015-11-02T11:50:23","modified_gmt":"2015-11-02T17:50:23","slug":"choose-to-learn-from-your-mistakes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/barbdahlgren.com\/?p=3117","title":{"rendered":"Choose to Learn from Your Mistakes"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Year of Choices…<\/em><\/p>\n

By Barbara Dahlgren from Barbara\u2019s Banter at\u00a0www.barbdahlgren.com<\/a><\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Mistakes<\/a>Everyone makes mistakes. \u00a0Some are just plain dumb, some are thoughtless, some are complicated, and some are really bad decisions.\u00a0 However, one thing is inevitable.\u00a0 We all make mistakes. (Proverbs 24:16)<\/p>\n

Although we can feel like failures if we don\u2019t do everything perfectly, not all mistakes are bad. When we are trying to learn a new skill we will make mistakes until that skill is mastered.\u00a0 In other words we will make a mistake and then make changes or adjustments so we can master that skill.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s what kids do in school all the time.\u00a0 They misspell a word then learn how to spell it correctly.\u00a0 They get a math problem wrong then learn how to do it properly.\u00a0 There should be no stigma attached to this.\u00a0 When children don\u2019t understand certain things they should be encouraged to ask questions.\u00a0 A better understanding helps them not to make the same mistakes in the future.<\/p>\n

We will also make mistakes as we try to master life skills.\u00a0 If we don\u2019t pay the electric bill the lights go off.\u00a0 If we don\u2019t show up to work on time we may lose our jobs.\u00a0 If we speed we may get a ticket.\u00a0 If we don\u2019t pay that speeding ticket on time the fee triples.\u00a0 Mistakes do have consequences.<\/p>\n

Some mistakes like not keeping our word, over committing, breaking promises, cheating, or lying reflect our character.\u00a0 It shows others what kind of people we really are.\u00a0 However, if we are wise we learn from our mistakes so we can lead happier, healthier lives.<\/p>\n

Some people refuse to learn from their mistakes.\u00a0 This is so sad to witness.\u00a0 A young man gets incarcerated for selling drugs, but goes back to selling drugs when released from jail.\u00a0 A young woman marries an abuser, gets divorced, but marries another abuser.\u00a0 A woman has an affair with one married man after another.\u00a0 Some people literally do keep doing the same thing over and over and over again expecting a different result.<\/p>\n

Why is that?<\/p>\n

Sometimes we don\u2019t want to admit we\u2019ve done anything wrong.\u00a0 We want to blame others or even God.\u00a0 Sometimes we make excuses or try to justify what we\u2019ve done because we had good intentions.\u00a0 Sometimes we deceive ourselves into thinking this time it will be different even though we are still doing the same thing.\u00a0 \u00a0The list is endless because people can always come up with excuses not to change.<\/p>\n

Consider this… Most of us have simply developed bad habits that we are too lazy to deal with.\u00a0 It takes a lot of effort to re-educate ourselves or implement a new strategy.\u00a0 It feels uncomfortable.\u00a0 It\u2019s easier to wallow around in misery than to work towards success.<\/p>\n

\"Past.Future\"<\/a><\/p>\n

And that\u2019s what each mistake should do \u2013 lead us to success.\u00a0 The Bible tells us to learn from the past and move towards the future. (Isaiah 43:18-19)<\/p>\n

Mistakes or setbacks can be learning opportunities to make us stronger for the future.\u00a0 Once we\u2019ve gleaned everything we can from a mistake we should move on.\u00a0 No need to dwell on it or feel like a failure.\u00a0 No need to feel stuck or unable to move forward.\u00a0 No need to feel bitter and resentful.\u00a0 Try something different.\u00a0 Determine to do better.\u00a0 Replace bad habits with good habits.\u00a0 Replace error or faulty thinking with truth.\u00a0 Replace discouragement with faith.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s what Peter did.\u00a0 Peter denied Christ, but he became a pillar and rock in the church.\u00a0 He learned to rely a little more on Jesus and less on his own abilities.\u00a0 He also learned that God\u2019s grace was greater than his mistakes.\u00a0 (John 18:15-27; John 21:15-17; Matthew 16:18)<\/p>\n

God says He has great things in store for us in the future. (Jeremiah 29:11)\u00a0 However we\u2019ll never know what they are if we don\u2019t learn from our mistakes and move forward.<\/p>\n

\"Jeremiah<\/a><\/p>\n

Suggestions for practicing this choice\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n