For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again.

Proverbs 24:16

As a child, I loved to cross streams by stepping on the stones so I would not get wet. But sometimes the rocks were so slippery that I fell in the water anyway. Mistakes can be like that-either stepping stones or slipping stones.

Think with me about two people who used their mistakes as stepping stones. A chemist invented a glue that was too weak for the specific purpose he was devoloping it for. With the “failure,” with the “wrong glue”  he developed the “stick-on” notes we now use daily. A secretary who made many mistakes typing mixed white paint and water together and created correction fluid or white-out.

It takes courage to make mistakes. In a recent poll by a leading newspaper, fear of failure was listed as the number one fear. Next time you’re afraid to try something because of  the fear of making a mistake, ask yourself, “Would  I rather fail  or never try?” If I don’t try, I’ll never know if I could have accomplished the feat or if I could think of a good use for my mistake.

Thought:  What does God call someone who falls seven times, but, rises up again to keep trying? Answer: Righteous