1 Peter 4:12-13

Beloved, don’t be surprised at the fiery ordeal which is coming upon you to test you, as though this were some strange thing that was happening to you.

Rather, celebrate! You are sharing the sufferings of the Messiah. Then, when his glory is revealed, you will celebrate with real, exuberant joy.

Everything molds you into me.

There is no “fail”, only, “Did you listen?”

One of my favorite scenes from Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi is when Yoda tells Luke,

“The greatest teacher, failure is.”

Failure is only really failure if we fail to learn from it and make adjustments.

But if we use it to be better, and help others, it is the greatest of instructors.

Yoda was also telling Luke that we are to pass on what we have learned—strength, mastery—yes. But also weakness, folly, and failure. Failure most of all. Because it is such an effective teacher. To ourselves, and also to others.

Growing up, my friend Joe and I always said we wanted to learn from others’ mistakes as much as we can, so that we don’t unnecessarily repeat what we see leads to darkness. We’ll make plenty of our own mistakes, why make others’?

Learn from others’ failure, yes, but also teach others from yours.

Jesus can use every single little thing in your life—good, bad, painful, joyful, traumatic—to mold you into His image and make you into Him.

That is called theosis.