by When we face failure, it’s easy to feel lost and discouraged. But the Bible offers comfort and guidance during these tough times. God’s Word reminds us that failure isn’t the end but a chance to learn and grow.
Let’s explore how these verses can strengthen our faith and give us the courage to rise again, no matter how many times we fall.
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Bible Verses About Failure
Failure is a universal experience that can be deeply challenging, but the Bible offers wisdom and encouragement for those going through difficult times. Here are 32 verses from the Amplified Translation, each accompanied by a 200-word commentary to help you find hope and strength in moments of failure.
Proverbs 24:16
“For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of disaster and collapse.”
Commentary: This verse underscores the resilience and persistence of the righteous. It acknowledges that even the righteous will face failure and setbacks, symbolized by falling seven times, which signifies completeness or many times. The key point, however, is that they rise again each time. This resilience is rooted in their faith and trust in God, who provides the strength to overcome adversity. In contrast, the wicked, who lack this foundation, are unable to recover when disaster strikes. This verse encourages believers to persevere through failures, relying on God’s support to rise again and continue their journey.
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace].”
Commentary: This verse is a powerful reminder of the strength and empowerment that comes from Christ. It emphasizes that believers can face any challenge, including failure, through the strength that Christ provides. This empowerment is not based on self-sufficiency but on the sufficiency of Christ. It encourages believers to rely on Christ’s inner strength and peace, which equips them to handle any situation with confidence. This assurance allows Christians to view failures not as the end but as opportunities for growth and reliance on God’s power.
2 Corinthians 12:9
“But He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.’ Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may completely enfold me and may dwell in me.”
Commentary: In this verse, Paul shares a profound truth about the sufficiency of God’s grace. It is in moments of weakness and failure that God’s power is most evident. Paul embraces his weaknesses because they highlight Christ’s strength. This perspective transforms failure into a stage for God’s grace and power to shine. Believers are encouraged to not only accept their weaknesses but to boast in them, understanding that God’s grace is more than enough to carry them through any situation. This counterintuitive approach redefines failure as an opportunity for divine strength to manifest.
Romans 8:28
“And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.”
Commentary: This verse offers a profound assurance that God is actively working in all circumstances, including failures, to bring about good for those who love Him. It reassures believers that their failures are not wasted but are part of a larger divine plan. This confidence in God’s sovereignty and love provides a foundation for enduring and learning from failures. It encourages Christians to trust that every setback is being woven into a greater purpose, ultimately contributing to their growth and the fulfillment of God’s plan in their lives.
Psalm 73:26
“My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the rock and strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Commentary: This verse acknowledges the frailty of human strength and the inevitability of failure. It contrasts this with the enduring and unwavering strength of God. When our own abilities falter, God’s strength remains constant, providing a reliable foundation. This assurance allows believers to face their limitations and failures with confidence, knowing that God’s support and presence are eternal. The imagery of God as a rock emphasizes His stability and reliability, offering a sense of security even when personal strength is insufficient.
Isaiah 40:30-31
“Even youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] Will gain new strength and renew their power; They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; They will run and not become weary, They will walk and not grow tired.”
Commentary: These verses highlight the natural human tendency to grow weary and fail, even among the young and strong. However, they also promise renewed strength for those who wait on the Lord. This waiting is an active, expectant hope in God’s provision and timing. The imagery of soaring like eagles suggests rising above challenges and gaining a divine perspective. This promise of renewed strength and endurance encourages believers to rely on God, especially in times of failure, trusting that He will provide the necessary power to overcome and thrive.
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].”
Commentary: This verse reminds believers that fear and timidity are not from God. Instead, God grants a spirit of power, love, and sound judgment. These gifts equip believers to face failures and challenges with confidence and self-control. The power mentioned here refers to the inner strength provided by the Holy Spirit, while love guides actions and decisions, and sound judgment ensures wisdom in handling situations. This assurance encourages Christians to reject fear and embrace the divine resources available to them, enabling them to navigate failures with courage and resilience.
Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified or dismayed (intimidated), for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Commentary: This verse is a direct command to be strong and courageous, accompanied by the assurance of God’s constant presence. It highlights the importance of courage in the face of challenges and failures. The knowledge that God is always with us provides the foundation for this courage. This divine companionship dispels fear and intimidation, empowering believers to confront their failures with confidence. The promise of God’s unwavering presence offers comfort and strength, ensuring that no failure is faced alone and that His support is ever-present.
Psalm 37:23-24
“The steps of a [good and righteous] man are directed and established by the Lord, And He delights in his way [and blesses his path]. When he falls, he will not be hurled down, Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand and sustains him.”
Commentary: These verses affirm that God directs and delights in the steps of the righteous. Even when they fall, they are not abandoned but are upheld by God. This imagery of God holding the believer’s hand highlights His intimate involvement and support. It reassures believers that failures are not final because God’s sustaining presence ensures they can rise again. This divine guidance and support transform failures into temporary setbacks rather than permanent defeats, encouraging perseverance and trust in God’s plan and provision.
James 1:2-4
“Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.”
Commentary: These verses present a counterintuitive approach to trials and failures, urging believers to consider them as opportunities for joy. The testing of faith through these experiences leads to the development of endurance, which in turn fosters spiritual maturity and inner peace. This perspective encourages believers to embrace failures as part of the growth process, allowing endurance to complete its work in them. By doing so, they become more mature and fully developed in their faith, equipped to handle future challenges with greater resilience and confidence.
Micah 7:8
“Do not rejoice over me [amid my tragedies], O my enemy! Though I fall, I will rise; Though I sit in the darkness [of distress], the Lord is a light for me.”
Commentary: This verse declares a defiant hope in the face of failure and adversity. It acknowledges the reality of falling and sitting in darkness but proclaims a confident expectation of rising again. The source of this hope is the Lord, who is described as a light even in the darkest times. This assurance empowers believers to face failures without fear of mockery or despair, knowing that God’s light will guide them through and bring them to a place of restoration and victory. It is a bold proclamation of faith in God’s ability to transform and redeem even the most challenging situations.
1 Peter 5:10
“After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace [who imparts His blessing and favor], who called you to His own eternal glory in Christ, will Himself complete, confirm, strengthen, and establish you [making you what you ought to be].”
Commentary: This verse offers a promise of restoration and strengthening after a period of suffering. It acknowledges that suffering, including failures, is temporary and serves a purpose in God’s plan. The God of all grace, who has called believers to eternal glory, personally commits to completing, confirming, strengthening, and establishing them. This divine involvement ensures that believers are not left weakened or broken by their failures but are made whole and strong, aligning them with God’s purpose. It provides hope and reassurance that every trial and failure is a step towards becoming who God intends them to be.
Hebrews 12:11
“For the time being, no discipline brings joy, but seems sad and painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness [right standing with God and a lifestyle and attitude that seeks conformity to God’s will and purpose].”
Commentary: This verse acknowledges the discomfort and pain of discipline, including the lessons learned through failure. However, it also highlights the long-term benefits of this process. Discipline trains believers, yielding the peaceful fruit of righteousness. This right standing with God and a lifestyle aligned with His will and purpose are the ultimate outcomes of enduring and learning from failures. It encourages believers to view failures as part of God’s disciplinary process, leading to growth and maturity. The temporary pain of discipline is outweighed by the lasting peace and righteousness it produces.
Psalm 55:22
“Cast your burden on the Lord [release it] and He will sustain and uphold you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken (slip, fall, fail).”
Commentary: This verse invites believers to cast their burdens, including their failures, onto the Lord. In doing so, they are assured of His sustaining and upholding power. The promise that the righteous will never be shaken, slip, fall, or fail highlights God’s commitment to their stability and success. This assurance encourages believers to trust in God’s ability to handle their burdens, freeing them from the weight of failure. It emphasizes the importance of reliance on God’s strength and support, ensuring that failures do not define or defeat them.
1 Corinthians 10:13
“No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].”
Commentary: This verse provides a comforting assurance that no temptation or trial, including those leading to failure, is beyond what humans can endure. It underscores God’s faithfulness and His commitment to providing a way out or a means to endure every challenge. This divine provision ensures that believers are never left without support or options. It encourages them to rely on God’s faithfulness and trust in His ability to guide them through difficult times, transforming potential failures into opportunities for victory and growth.
Isaiah 41:10
“‘Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].'”
Commentary: This verse offers a powerful promise of God’s presence and support. It commands believers to reject fear and embrace God’s strength, help, and victory. The assurance of God’s righteous right hand underscores His power, justice, and salvation. This divine support provides a solid foundation for facing failures without fear. Believers are encouraged to trust in God’s unwavering presence and assistance, which guarantees that they will not face their challenges alone. This confidence transforms the experience of failure into an opportunity to witness God’s strength and deliverance.
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Commentary: This verse reassures believers of God’s good plans and intentions for their lives. Despite facing failures and setbacks, God’s plans are for peace, well-being, and a hopeful future. This promise provides a foundation of hope, encouraging believers to trust in God’s overarching plan even when immediate circumstances are difficult. It reminds them that failures are not the end but part of a larger, positive plan that God is unfolding. This assurance fosters resilience and hope, enabling believers to move forward with confidence and trust in God’s goodness.
Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble in dread before them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not fail you or abandon you.”
Commentary: This verse is a call to strength and courage, grounded in the assurance of God’s unfailing presence. It emphasizes that believers need not fear or dread their adversaries or challenges, including failures, because God is with them. The promise that God will not fail or abandon them provides a profound sense of security and support. This divine companionship ensures that believers are never alone in their struggles, empowering them to face failures with courage and trust in God’s steadfast presence and support.
Psalm 34:17-18
“When the righteous cry [for help], the Lord hears And rescues them from all their distress and troubles. The Lord is near to the heartbroken And He saves those who are crushed in spirit [contrite in heart, truly sorry for their sin].”
Commentary: These verses highlight God’s attentiveness and compassion towards the righteous, especially in times of distress and trouble. The promise that the Lord hears their cries and rescues them underscores His responsiveness to their needs. Additionally, God’s nearness to the heartbroken and His saving presence for those crushed in spirit offer deep comfort and hope. This assurance encourages believers to turn to God in their failures and brokenness, confident that He will provide the necessary help, comfort, and salvation. It transforms moments of despair into opportunities for divine intervention and restoration.
Romans 5:3-5
“And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance; and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance [of eternal salvation]. Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
Commentary: These verses present a perspective that embraces suffering and hardships, including failures, as opportunities for growth. The progression from hardship to endurance, character, and ultimately hope illustrates the transformative power of these experiences. This hope, rooted in God’s promises, is described as unshakeable and deeply satisfying because it is grounded in God’s love, poured out through the Holy Spirit. This assurance encourages believers to rejoice even in failures, trusting that they are part of a divine process leading to greater maturity and confident hope in God’s ultimate salvation and goodness.
Psalm 119:71
“It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.”
Commentary: This verse offers a reflective perspective on affliction and failure, recognizing their value in leading to a deeper understanding of God’s statutes. It acknowledges that through difficult experiences, believers can gain greater insight into God’s ways and teachings. This perspective encourages a positive view of failures, seeing them as opportunities for spiritual growth and learning. It transforms affliction into a valuable tool for drawing closer to God and aligning one’s life more closely with His will and purposes. This insight fosters a mindset that embraces challenges as part of the journey toward greater spiritual maturity.
1 John 5:4
“For everyone born of God is victorious and overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has conquered and overcome the world—our [continuing, persistent] faith [in Jesus the Son of God].”
Commentary: This verse proclaims the victory and overcoming power inherent in everyone born of God. It emphasizes that this victory is achieved through continuing, persistent faith in Jesus. This faith empowers believers to overcome the world, including its failures and challenges. It highlights the transformative power of faith, which enables believers to rise above difficulties and experience victory. This assurance encourages Christians to maintain their faith, knowing that it is the key to overcoming any obstacle or failure they encounter. It provides a foundation of hope and confidence in the face of adversity.
Matthew 19:26
“But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With people [as far as it depends on them] it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’
Commentary: This verse underscores the limitless possibilities with God, contrasting human limitations with divine power. It acknowledges that there are situations where human efforts fall short, but with God, nothing is impossible. This assurance encourages believers to trust in God’s ability to accomplish what seems unattainable by human means. It transforms failures into opportunities for witnessing God’s miraculous power and provision. This perspective fosters a deep reliance on God, instilling hope and confidence that He can and will intervene in any situation, turning potential failures into triumphs.
2 Chronicles 15:7
“But as for you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work.”
Commentary: This verse is a call to strength and perseverance, assuring believers that their efforts are not in vain. It encourages them to remain courageous and steadfast, even in the face of failure and difficulty, with the promise of a reward for their work. This assurance of reward provides motivation and hope, reinforcing the value of persistence and resilience. It highlights the importance of maintaining strength and courage, trusting that God sees and rewards their efforts. This perspective transforms failures into temporary setbacks, knowing that perseverance will ultimately lead to divine reward and fulfillment.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
“We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair; hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [to stand alone]; struck down, but never destroyed.”
Commentary: These verses describe the resilience and endurance of believers amidst severe trials and challenges. They acknowledge the reality of pressure, perplexity, persecution, and being struck down, but highlight that these do not lead to ultimate destruction. God’s presence and support ensure that believers are never crushed, driven to despair, deserted, or destroyed. This assurance fosters a sense of hope and resilience, encouraging believers to endure their failures and difficulties with confidence. It underscores the sustaining power of God, which transforms seemingly overwhelming situations into opportunities for demonstrating divine strength and perseverance.
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls. For My yoke is easy [to bear] and My burden is light.”
Commentary: These verses offer an invitation to those who are weary and burdened, promising rest and renewal in Christ. It contrasts the heavy burdens of religious rituals with the light and easy yoke of discipleship under Jesus. This invitation emphasizes Jesus’ gentleness and humility, providing a source of true rest and peace for the soul. It encourages believers to come to Jesus with their failures and burdens, trusting in His ability to provide rest and refreshment. This promise of rest transforms the experience of failure into an opportunity for finding peace and renewal in Christ’s gentle and loving care.
Psalm 138:8
“The Lord will accomplish that which concerns me; Your [unwavering] lovingkindness, O Lord, endures forever—Do not abandon the works of Your own hands.”
Commentary: This verse expresses confidence in God’s commitment to complete His work in the believer’s life. It acknowledges God’s enduring lovingkindness and pleads for His continued involvement and support. This assurance encourages believers to trust that God is actively working to accomplish His purposes in their lives, even in the face of failures. It highlights the unchanging nature of God’s love and His dedication to the works of His hands. This perspective transforms failures into moments of reliance on God’s ongoing work and His faithful commitment to bring about His good plans.
Isaiah 54:17
“‘No weapon that is formed against you will succeed; And every tongue that rises against you in judgment you will condemn. This [peace, righteousness, security, and triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And this is their vindication from Me,’ says the Lord.”
Commentary: This verse promises divine protection and vindication for the servants of the Lord. It assures believers that no weapon formed against them will succeed and that they will condemn any false judgment. This heritage of peace, righteousness, security, and triumph is a gift from God, ensuring their ultimate victory over opposition and failure. This assurance fosters a sense of confidence and security, encouraging believers to stand firm in their faith, knowing that God’s protection and vindication are guaranteed. It transforms failures into opportunities to witness God’s powerful defense and ultimate triumph.
Colossians 3:23-24
“Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve.”
Commentary: These verses encourage believers to approach their work with dedication and excellence, doing everything as unto the Lord. It reminds them that their ultimate reward comes from God, not from human recognition or approval. This perspective transforms the approach to work and effort, encouraging believers to give their best even in the face of failure, knowing that God sees and rewards their efforts. It fosters a sense of purpose and motivation, emphasizing that their true service is to Christ. This assurance provides a foundation for perseverance and excellence, transforming failures into opportunities for demonstrating faithfulness and dedication to God’s service.
Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength [mighty and impenetrable], A very present and well-proved help in trouble.”
Commentary: This verse describes God as a refuge and strength, a well-proved help in times of trouble. It emphasizes God’s reliability and readiness to provide assistance. This assurance encourages believers to turn to God in moments of failure and distress, trusting in His proven ability to help and support. The imagery of God as a refuge and strength offers comfort and security, ensuring that believers have a safe place to turn to in any situation. This perspective transforms failures into opportunities to experience God’s protection and strength, fostering confidence and hope in His ever-present help.
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding].”
Commentary: This verse offers a promise of peace and victory in the face of tribulation and suffering. Jesus assures believers that despite the challenges they will face in the world, they can be courageous and joyful because He has overcome the world. This victory is complete and abiding, providing a foundation for enduring peace and confidence. This assurance encourages believers to face their failures and difficulties with a sense of triumph, knowing that Jesus’ victory encompasses all their struggles. It transforms the experience of tribulation into an opportunity to witness and participate in Christ’s victory and peace.
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