Letting Them Fail Is Not Always a Bad Thing

 Letting Them Fail Is Not Always a Bad Thing

By: Phil Machalick (Contributing Writer)

Some time back I was helping someone do a job; and while we were working we would encounter problems that needed a solution, at which time I would give advice based on my years of experience; thinking this was helpful.

To my surprise, my suggestions were met with rejection; from then on, I learned to hold my peace and wait until they asked for my ideas. It was during these long periods of watching someone try to do something that they had little or no experience in doing that I allowed wisdom to speak to me. 

If you do everything for them, it robs them of an education. They learn from doing; and if they fail at it, they gain an experience they didn't have before. 

Being allowed the freedom to fail is a form of love. 

 Many parents seem to protect their children from experiencing any failures or hardships in life; this could be out of a fear mentality while believing they are helping the child. This all depends on the age and maturity level of an individual. Some children take responsibility sooner in life than others. It takes real love to step back and allow them to fail and maybe fail over and over without saying a word. 

If you do everything for them,

 it robs them of an education.

Being given the freedom to fail at an endeavor shows great trust.

When I look at how the Lord operates with us I notice that same principal. He said ask and you shall receive; he waits for us to ask when we are ready to receive an answer or help from him and until then we are able to try and figure things out on our own even if we fail.  Such love and patience!