User:Tai2c Savou/sandbox

Life's mistakes

Taitusi Savou Sunday, June 13, 2010

Ever felt guilty and bitter when you did things that you aren't supposed to do or messed things up in your life and others lives and dare put on the mask of pretension with a pasted smile on? Believe it my friends; those are possible results that we all go through when we make mistakes.

Be confident and do not panic, I have a message for you. We all make mistakes in life. It could be in the areas of finance, family, marriage, education, morality and so forth.

In fact it affects individuals in all age groups, young and old. But how do you react when someone suggests that you have done something wrong?

Do you make adjustments in your life to correct the mistake or deny that you need to correct it? Somehow, deep down in our very nature we have something in each of us that strongly resists admitting we are wrong.

We may feel ashamed to admit our faults and pretend things are alright in life.

The mistakes vary and range from schools to workplaces, homes to leaderships, communities to organizations, and from peer groups to individual personal lives.

There is always a desired standard of lifestyle in each of those places and individuals lacking to meet standards would automatically be regarded as a failure.

I have seen in many cases where individuals struggle and fight their way through after making mistakes in life.

The count goes on and on from teenage pregnancies, prostitution, bankruptcy, divorces, theft and various crimes. It's sad to note that as they fight their way through in life there is always a tough battle with the stigma that is associated with their issues.

In many cases an element of pride would develop and with heads held high, individuals would then rather walk with the veil of pretensions and a well rehearsed and mastered posture and speech.

That is why we admire people who openly and graciously admit their mistakes and sins.

These people have a strong self image. They do not always have to be right to feel good about themselves. The Bible says in Proverbs 28:13(NIV) "He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy".

In other words we have to be willing to reconsider-to admit we are wrong and to change plans when necessary.

Remember, the first step toward forgiveness is confession. Making the same mistake over and over is an invitation to disaster.

Eventually people have to face the consequences of refusing to learn. If their mistake is refusing God's invitation or rejecting his commands, the consequences will be especially serious. In the end, God may have to turn them away. Avoid the state of being stiff-necked and building a wall around your life, rejecting even, the wise advice and counsel of others (Proverbs 29:1).

I want to take this time to commend Ioane Naivalurua of the Prisons Department, for the effort and the initiative towards giving a second chance to lawbreakers. With the introduction of the Yellow Ribbon Project, inmates now have a chance to start afresh after their correction period.

The last time a parent or a friend corrected you, were you hurt, angry, or defensive? If you are corrected for a serious mistake, it is for your good.

Admit your error, repent quickly, and ask for prayer. From the Genesis account of Abram (later Abraham) we see some of the serious mistakes. (1) Sarai who took matters in her own hands and gave her maid servant to Abram. (2) Abram who went along with the plan but, when circumstances began to go wrong, refused to help solve the problem; and (3) Hagar who ran away from the problem. In spite of the messy situation that they were in, God demonstrated his ability to work in all things for good (Rom 8:28). Sarai and Abram still received the son they so desperately wanted, and God solved Hagar's problem despite Abram's refusal to get involved.

Remember that no problem is too complicated for God if you are willing to let him help you. What good is a mistake if it doesn't teach you something?

To learn from an error you need to admit it, confess it, analyze it, and make adjustments so that it does not happen again. Everybody makes mistakes, but only fools repeat them. For Further information or prayer requests, please email me or write to Taitusi Savou, PO Box 255, Navua, Fiji Islands. May God bless you all!!


 * Taitusisavouhotmail.com

Tai2c Savou (talk) 18:39, 10 January 2013 (UTC)
 * Taitusi R Savou is a researcher and advocate for Transparency in Religion.