I am not quite sure why this idea/phrase has been swirling around in my head so much lately. I haven't had some huge fall recently that has made me think about it. I honestly think its just because I have had so many friends hurting lately. Maybe from mistakes they have made or just because of tragic situations they have found themselves in. And, I think this thought can apply to more than just mistakes...life is not defined by the things we face, but how we choose to react to them; life is not defined by what others do to us, but what we choose to do in return; and the one in the title: life is not defined by what mistakes we make, but how we choose to respond to them.
Here is the deal, we are going to make mistakes. Sometimes little mistakes that we don't even think twice about, and sometimes enormous mistakes that will forever change the trajectory of our lives. But there is one thing for sure...God is a God of restoration, of freedom, of hope, and grace. He desires that when we fall down, we recognize what happened, stand back up, brush ourselves off and move on. But, not only move on...move on with a new zeal to not make those same mistakes and to actively use those circumstances and consequences for the good of his glory.
Don't discount yourself or those around you because of mistakes that have been made, rather use those things to propel you toward something amazing and beautiful in the future!
