But when one loses a hard run race, or some other failure occurs, there tends to be the cry, "Oh, God, What did I do wrong? How did I fail? What can I do to turn defeat into victory." And it is in this careful analysis of failure that most of the greatest victories and successes come.
Seldom if ever do you see a successful person doing a thorough analysis of why he or she succeeded, but if they failed to achieve their high goals and aspirations, there will often be a time of self analysis, assessment and study. "Why did I fail? What happened?" Every attempt will be made to assure that the next time is not a failure also. This is true whether one is running a footrace, running a business or attempting a successful marriage.

But let a person fail and he or she begins thinking over what he might have done that would have brought success. Friends, business associates or teammates are often critical and faultfinding -- even fellow Christians or fellow ministers may be critical and find much fault. This actually may be a blessing because it provides insights which may be helpful as well as discouragement which causes still more self-analysis. Really, even deciding on the right solutions is hardly enough until the correct actions as determined by this close study have been tested and brought to a successful completion. Merely figuring out what went wrong is not enough. We then begin to practice, to exercise the right action.

Some people, especially truly dedicated Christians, are gifted in the ability to analyze problems in their own lives and reach right conclusions the first or second time. Others require several failures and some never do reach the right conclusions.

We all want to be winners and dislike losing, but history is full of instances in which a great 

A racing automobile must be prepared in certain ways if it is to win a race. It is in the correct assessment of the reasons for failure to win the last race, to perform as expected in time trials, lesser races, or even in the beginning laps of the big race that enables the mechanics and driver to make the adjustments to the car and driving habits that will result in a win the next try.

Our real victory comes when we determine, ÒI can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13). When Emmanuel, God with us" is on the throne of our lives, when we allow Him to be captain of our ship, we can know that He knows the passage over the rocks and through the shallows.

We may liken the trials and tests in our lives to stones. We may leave them laying about in a haphazard way on the racetrack of our lives and if we don't watch our step carefully, they may trip us and cause us to fall. But if we take those same stones and use them we can build a house or use them as stepping stones to cross a stream. Trials and temptations in our lives may either trip us up and cause us to stumble and fall, or we may overcome them through prayer determining that we will serve the Lord no matter what comes our way and that becomes a point of overcoming which builds our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and His power to protect, lead and guide us. Satan may roar and rage against us, but Jesus is our rock on which we can stand firm.