"It is better to fail and please God, rather than to succeed and please only man." (Siane Obaja)

God is not against "worldly" success and at the same time, "worldly" success is not always God's will for us. We can be down and out - by worldly standard - and yet be pleasing God in the process.

God does not take pleasure in our "failing". God takes pleasure in our becoming more Christlike. And if that takes "failing" to get us there, it hurts, but we need to persevere and trust God. We will come out "better" (by God's definition) at the other side of the "failure" period.

In hindsight, would I repeat some of my "failures" knowing that they took part in the process of shaping me? No, I prefer no failure and all success and be pleasing to God.

But life is a composite of past successes and failures. I am what I am because of where I have been. My focus should be on God's will.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29.11 NLT