Failure is a normal part of life. As imperfect beings, we can never and should never expect that we'd always be perfect in everything we do. We'll miss deadlines, fail to shoot the ball in the ring, make that wrong investment, break the flower vase, and fail to say "sorry" when we ought to say it.

Yes, imperfect beings aren't really perfect.

Many of us, however, feel discouraged after failing for so many times. We feel that because we fail at so many things, we're a living failure. We want to add a new civil status that says "failure." We label ourselves like we do spoiled and stale chicken at the supermarket: rejected.

Friends, we shouldn't do that. While we're still alive, there's still hope. As long as there's breath in our lungs we shouldn't lose hope.

Here's an encouragement for you: did you realize that the breath that runs in your lungs came from the very mouth of God? Genesis 2:7 tells us that after "the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, [He] breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being." The breath in your lungs came from the Creator of the whole universe! Think about that.

While you're alive, remind yourself that God keeps you alive. He has a purpose for you to fulfill, and that's to glorify Him in all that you do. Because you've got a purpose to live, you can't just be hopeless and quit after failing; you've got to push forward in faith!

Bible verses to encourage you

To encourage you to move forward in faith after failing so many times, here are a few Bible verses you should read, meditate on, and obey.

Proverbs 24:16

"For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity."

Those who hope in the Lord will rise up no matter how many times they fall because God helps them. Do not lose hope, friend.

1 Samuel 16:1

"Now the Lord said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king among his sons.""

Samuel, one of the greatest prophets in the Old Testament, mourned intensely for Saul, the man he anointed as Israel's king. God, however, had a different plan, and called Samuel back to action.

Friends, don't lose hope. God is always doing a new thing, and our discouragement will only work to blind us from seeing it.

Philippians 1:6

"...being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."

God never leaves His work unfinished. If He started His work in us, He will also bring to completion. He will never stop working on us, no matter what failure we face. Because of this, we must never stop following Him.

Romans 8:37-39

"Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

No amount of failure can ever change God's love for us. Isn't that encouraging to know, that God's love for us remains steady through the trials and hardships of life?

Proverbs 3:5-8

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones."

No matter what we face, we must never place the matter in our own hands. We must always trust in the Lord, whether we face favorable or unfavorable circumstances, success or failure. We will do well to fear Him and trust in Him always.