"If struggle has a purpose
On the narrow road you've carved,
Why do I dread my trespasses
Will leave a deadly scar?"

We are human. We are imperfect. We, by definition, sometimes fail.

In a society driven by success, failure is deemed unacceptable.

It seems logical enough; if we have a goal, we want to attain that goal. In not obtaining that goal, we do not fulfill whatever purpose is attached to that goal. Thus, we fail. And since we want to attain that goal, we do not want to fail. Since failure is something we do not want, failure is bad.

Right?

"But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." --- 2 Corinthians 12:9

Through failure, we are shown the depths of our weakness. This is crucial to a healthy Christian walk.

We must be intimately aware of the fact that we are weak, fallen human beings. If we are not aware of that fact, we are not aware of our need. If we are not aware of our need, we do not rely on Christ for strength.

God is not glorified in a happy line of marionettes whose strings He constantly pulls, controlling their every movement. He is glorified when we imperfect humans learn to rely on His strength to overcome our sin and actively do His perfect will.

It is a basic principal of leadership theory that you must allow those you lead to fail occasionally. If you simply demand success on a perpetual basis, success will seem a laborious task that they will gleefully shrug off when not under your authority.

We learn through failure. Trial-and-error. It is the most effective way for people to learn things unassisted.

The heroes of the faith listed in Hebrews are credited as heroes because they learned to rely only on the Lord's strength and not their own.

"And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophetsâ€" who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight." --- Hebrews 11:32-34

Failure is unacceptable as an end. Failure is a means to total submission and realization of our weakness.

Rejoice; you are a greater sinner than you think.
Rejoice; you have a greater savior than you think.