
The Biblical Response to Failure
A devotional by Chaplain Paul Anderson
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”—Psalm 73:26 (ESV)
Failure is an unavoidable part of life.
Sometimes we fail publicly, in ways others see and remember. Sometimes we fail privately, when our inner battles leave us discouraged and defeated. In those moments, we are painfully reminded of our limitations. We are not invincible. We are not perfect. We are human.
Asaph, the writer of Psalm 73, knew what it was like to wrestle with failure—not just moral failure, but the kind that shakes the soul. In the earlier verses of that psalm, he confesses to deep confusion and envy when he sees the prosperity of the wicked. He wonders why those who defy God seem to flourish, while those who walk with the Lord often suffer. That emotional and spiritual disorientation was, in a very real sense, a kind of failure—a failing heart, a weary soul, a shaken faith.
But it is precisely in this place of frailty that Psalm 73:26 breaks through with incredible hope: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
I have gleaned four life lessons from this text about how to deal with and live with my own failures. Perhaps you can find value in them too:
Life Lesson #1: God is not surprised by our failure.
We often treat failure as a disqualification, but God sees it as part of our development process. Throughout Scripture, we find faithful men and women who stumbled: Moses struck the rock, David sinned gravely, Peter denied Christ, Paul spoke of his weakness. Yet none of them were abandoned by God. Why? Because our failures don’t define our relationship with Him—His grace does.
Life Lesson #2: Failure is not the end of the story.
God has a way of redeeming what is broken. Our setbacks can become the soil in which deeper trust is planted. Sometimes we need to fail so that we can discover the strength that is not our own. Asaph admits, “My heart may fail.” That’s a confession of reality. But then he follows it with truth: “God is the strength of my heart.” That’s a confession of faith.
Life Lesson #3: In failure, we are drawn to dependence.
When everything is going well, we can easily fall into the illusion of self-sufficiency. But when we fall short, when our strength runs dry, we are brought back to the heart of the gospel: We are not enough, but Jesus Christ is. Asaph calls God his “portion forever.” That’s the language of inheritance, of something lasting and unshakeable. Earthly success fades. Human approval shifts. But the Lord is our eternal portion.
Life Lesson #4: The response to failure is not despair, but worship.
As the psalm progresses, Asaph moves from doubt and confusion to a place of renewed devotion. He ends Psalm 73 by saying, “But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works” (Psalm 73:28). Failure can be the doorway to a deeper relationship with the Lord.
So, today, if you find yourself weighed down by failure—whether it’s failure in your walk with God, in a relationship, in a responsibility, or even in your own heart—lift your eyes to the One who never fails. Let Psalm 73:26 be an anchor for your soul.
Remember: Your failure is not final. God's strength is reliable and it lasts forever. Lean on Him when you're facing failure. Let that be your hope today.
Let’s Pray: Lord of all creation, thank You for Your grace that looks beyond our faults and failures and sees who You are growing us to be. When we fail or falter, restore within us your image. Replenish within us the joy of the Lord. Forgive us our sins and help us to freely forgive others. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.
Song of Reflection: “Strength of My Life” by Vertical Worship. Listen to it here.
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Author Bio:
Chaplain Anderson is the Director Emeritus of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries for the North American Division. In this role, he was the friend, advocate and gatekeeper for the profession of chaplaincy among Adventist pastors.

His new mission is to specialize in personal and personnel development coaching. He journeys with and guides clients, personal and corporate, as they define their goals and grow into their full potential.
His pastoral career began in the Allegheny East Conference where he was ordained.
Subsequently, he served in the Potomac Conference at the Sligo and Seabrook churches. His professional dream was to be a chaplain in the United States Navy. He got to live that dream and achieved the rank of Commander before retiring from Naval service in 2015 with 26 years of service.
Chaplain Anderson has earned four graduate degrees: He earned his Master of Divinity Degree was earned at the seminary at Andrews University. He earned a Master’s of Education from the University of Maryland and a Master’s in Sacred Theology from Boston University. His Doctor of Ministry was conferred by Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C.
Chaplain Anderson and his wife Debra have been married for 41 years. They have two healthy, saved and well-adjusted adult children who picked good spouses and delivered four grandchildren.
Adventures through traveling, reading, praying, preaching, teaching and writing are the avenues of ministry and self-care that define his now and his destiny.
You may connect with Chaplain Anderson via email at this address: psanderson75@gmail.com.
Let’s Pray: Lord of all creation, thank You for Your grace that looks beyond our faults and failures and sees who You are growing us to be. When we fail or falter, restore within us your image. Replenish within us the joy of the Lord. Forgive us our sins and help us to freely forgive others. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.
Song of Reflection: “Strength of My Life” by Vertical Worship. Listen to it here.
~*~
Author Bio:
Chaplain Anderson is the Director Emeritus of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries for the North American Division. In this role, he was the friend, advocate and gatekeeper for the profession of chaplaincy among Adventist pastors.

His new mission is to specialize in personal and personnel development coaching. He journeys with and guides clients, personal and corporate, as they define their goals and grow into their full potential.
His pastoral career began in the Allegheny East Conference where he was ordained.
Subsequently, he served in the Potomac Conference at the Sligo and Seabrook churches. His professional dream was to be a chaplain in the United States Navy. He got to live that dream and achieved the rank of Commander before retiring from Naval service in 2015 with 26 years of service.
Chaplain Anderson has earned four graduate degrees: He earned his Master of Divinity Degree was earned at the seminary at Andrews University. He earned a Master’s of Education from the University of Maryland and a Master’s in Sacred Theology from Boston University. His Doctor of Ministry was conferred by Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C.
Chaplain Anderson and his wife Debra have been married for 41 years. They have two healthy, saved and well-adjusted adult children who picked good spouses and delivered four grandchildren.
Adventures through traveling, reading, praying, preaching, teaching and writing are the avenues of ministry and self-care that define his now and his destiny.
You may connect with Chaplain Anderson via email at this address: psanderson75@gmail.com.