Why does God allow Christians to fail, and can failure actually be part of His plan for our lives?

In Episode 28 of the A Lot of Words Podcast, Brett and Pastor Matt Smith explore failure through a biblical lens. Failure often feels like evidence that we misunderstood God, lacked sufficient faith, or simply were not good enough. But failure can also expose pride, reveal our limitations, strengthen our character, and teach us to rely more completely upon the Lord.

The conversation examines whether fear of failure is connected to a lack of trust in God, whether Christians can glorify God while living cautiously, and how believers can intentionally develop the ability to handle disappointment and setbacks. Matt also offers pastoral counsel for parents, spouses, workers, and ministry leaders who feel like failures because they are comparing themselves to unrealistic expectations or carefully edited lives on social media.

Brett and Matt conclude by considering how God defines success. Is workplace success measured by reaching the top of your profession, or by faithfully working unto the Lord? Can contentment and ambition coexist? And how can Christians pursue excellence without allowing achievement to become an idol?

The episode also includes discussions about different levels of punishment in hell, Dante’s Inferno, the children who died during the Passover, deception in games, portraying Jesus in movies, honesty in golf, and the biblical responsibility to protect innocent people.

Topics covered in this episode:

0:00 Introduction
15:32 Are There Different Levels of Punishment in Hell?
21:11 Is Dante’s Inferno Extra-Biblical?
25:01 Did the Babies Who Died During Passover Go to Heaven?
30:52 Can Christians Play Games That Require Deception?
37:47 Should Christians Portray Jesus in Movies?
44:09 When Is It Appropriate for Christians to Use Force in Self-Defense?
50:45 Is Refusing to Defend Your Home More Righteous?

53:56 Why Does God Allow Christians to Fail?
57:46 Is Failure Part of God’s Plan for My Life?
1:04:39 Is Fear of Failure a Lack of Trust in God?
1:09:05 How Do Christians Learn to Handle Failure?
1:13:12 What Should You Tell Someone Who Feels Like a Failure?
1:19:05 How Does God Define Success?
1:19:19 What Does Biblical Success Look Like at Work?

1:26:18 Does the Netherlands Slap?

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