A Message We ALL Need to Hear

“We all make mistakes.” – Dr. Robert Jeffress

I needed to hear this message from Dr. Jeffress, who serves as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas TX… and maybe you do, too.

I was in the restroom washing my hands a few years ago, and a woman walked in. She froze in embarrassment then apologized to me for being in the wrong restroom. I told her, “Don’t worry about it,” and went on to dry my hands. But when I exited the restroom, I noticed that the sign on the wall said “Women.”

We all make mistakes.

Sometimes these mistakes are minor mishaps, like going into the wrong restroom. But other times, they are major blunders: A poor investment that threatens our financial security. An affair that ruins our marriage. A lost opportunity that leads to sleepless nights and the weight of regret.
We wonder, Do I have to spend the rest of my life suffering the consequences for my mistakes? Have I messed up God’s plan for my life?

Here’s a comforting truth: Your failure is no match for God’s sovereignty.

The Bible teaches that God is sovereign—He rules over His creation. And if God is in control of everything that happens in the universe, then He is in control of everything that happens in your life as well.

Your sinful choices, your lapses in judgment, and your squandered opportunities do not loosen God’s grip on the direction of your life.

Proverbs 20:24 says, “Man’s steps are ordained by the Lord.” Every step you take is part of God’s plan.

What if we make a wrong choice? Does our sin alter God’s plan?

Not at all! In Ephesians 1:11, Paul wrote that God “works all things after the counsel of His will.” Notice the word “will” is singular. God has one perfect plan, and it is big enough to include Satan’s rebellion, Adam and Eve’s sin in the garden of Eden, and even the torture and murder of His own Son. God has one plan, and He has the power to accomplish that plan.

Remember the story of Job. He lost his kids, his health, and his livelihood in a short period of time. Job’s friends tried to tell him, “God had a perfect plan, but you messed it up.” Job didn’t buy into that. He said to God, “I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2).

God is going to accomplish His purpose, and no one—including you and me—is powerful enough to stop Him.

Does that mean we’re robots who have no say over the direction of our lives? No, God’s power doesn’t exempt us from our responsibility. The Bible talks repeatedly about the importance of making wise choices. And we experience consequences for making wrong choices.

I can’t fully comprehend how God’s sovereignty and our responsibility work together. But I can say this with certainty: God’s sovereignty offers you peace from your past, and your responsibility offers you hope for your future.

Despite your mistakes, you can make choices right now that will alter your life and your eternity. Friend, it doesn’t matter what you’ve done in the past—your failures can be transformed for your good and for God’s glory.

I pray you’ll experience God’s peace and hope as you move forward in His plan for you!

“And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6 (ESV)

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President