Skip to content We all make mistakes—this is a given. When I was in ninth grade, I almost got arrested. I was a pretty good kid; I never broke the law, aside from the occasional jaywalking. But one day after school, my friends and I found ourselves in a situation that could have gone very wrong.
One of my friends had somehow gotten hold of clippings from the Anarchist Cookbook, a book that contains instructions on how to make weapons and bombs using household items. For a group of early teen boys, this was both thrilling and dangerous. Naturally, we couldn’t resist the temptation to try making a smoke bomb ourselves.
After putting the device together, we rode our bikes to a sewage tunnel and lit the contraption. After a few failed attempts, we were suddenly confronted by two police officers. They had spotted our pile of bikes and our lookout, who was standing nearby in a way that must have looked suspicious.
To make a long story short, the officers threatened to arrest us, patted us down, questioned each of us separately, and eventually escorted us to the police car. As we drove off, expecting to be taken to the station, we were instead dropped off at our homes. The officers explained the situation to our parents, leaving us with a serious wake-up call.
This was a mistake that almost landed me in juvenile hall, and as terrifying as it was, it didn’t stop me from making more mistakes in the future. Not with the law, but rather with the daily errors of life. Making mistakes is part of the human experience. The real question is, how do we handle them? Do we learn from them? Do they harden us, or paralyze us with the fear of future failures? And how does the gospel of God’s grace help us navigate these inevitable missteps?
How to handle mistakes?
Mistakes can be intentional or unintentional. It can be due to negligence or due to willful deliberate decisions. They can be mistakes of insignificance like forgetting to take out the garbage before trash day. Or they can be extremely significant that impacts many people.
1) Acknowledge the mistakes
When we make mistakes, the first step is to acknowledge them. We’ve all encountered people—perhaps even in ourselves—who struggle to admit when they’re at fault. Whether it’s due to pride or a fragile ego, some find it difficult to face their own errors.
It takes humility to recognize our shortcomings, and it requires a strong sense of self-awareness to identify them soon after they happen. If you find it challenging to see your mistakes, take a moment to explore why that might be. It may be hard to perceive on your own, but asking those around you for their perspective can provide valuable insight.
2) Understand we all make mistakes
Understand that we are all fallen creatures; none of us measures up to perfection. The first sign of wisdom is recognizing our own weaknesses and imperfections. This humility allows us to view life and our decisions with greater objectivity. It helps us not only admit our wrongdoings but also accept that making mistakes—big or small—is an inevitable part of life.
3) Seek forgiveness
If you are genuinely sorry and humble enough to admit your failures, you’ll find that people are often willing to forgive. True remorse—without excuses or justifications, but with full acceptance of your wrongdoing—can be surprisingly powerful in opening the door to forgiveness. And if, despite your sincere apology, the person you seek forgiveness from chooses not to forgive, that is a burden they will need to carry, not you.
4) Learn from the mistakes
Reflect on what could have been different—how the mistake happened, the circumstances that led to it, and most importantly, the underlying reason for it. This process often requires self-awareness, humility, and a willingness to objectively examine your faults.
Once you’ve identified these factors, consider what you can do differently next time.
5) Move on- How the Gospel changes you
Once you’ve reflected on your mistakes, it’s time to move on. Life can be viewed as a series of missteps or as steps toward becoming a better version of yourself—it all depends on your perspective.
If you find it difficult to move on and become paralyzed by your mistakes, remember that God forgives even the gravest of errors—sin (1 John 1:9). If the God of the universe can forgive and love you despite your worst mistakes, then no mistake can separate you from what truly matters: God.
If you’re struggling to move forward, it might be time to evaluate where God stands in your list of priorities.
Check out the article: FRAGILE SELF IMAGE
Conclusions
In the end, mistakes are an inevitable part of life. They shape our experiences, challenge our character, and offer us opportunities to grow. While it’s natural to stumble, what defines us is how we respond—whether we choose to learn, seek forgiveness, and move forward with humility and grace. Through the lens of the gospel, we’re reminded that no mistake is too great for God’s forgiveness and love. As we navigate our imperfections, let us find comfort in knowing that each misstep can bring us closer to becoming the person God intends us to be.
