Article May 9, 1994 Issue

Never a failure

Elaine R. Follis

Fear of failure plagued my growing-up years, and now, in the work I do, I observe it often in others. It's probably one of the most common challenges people confront. One way of defining failure is in terms of falling short of expectations.

If expectations are often the measure of success, one naturally asks, What expectations are appropriate and realistic? Psychology, especially the popular "self-help" variety, answers from the basis of human personality, talents, and experience. Because the human scene is by definition finite, it says even the most able individuals fail to live up to their potential at times. Sooner or later they always encounter a situation that is too difficult or a rival who has more advantages.

Christian Science, however, answers from the standpoint of the one infinite God and of man created in His own image. Referring to God, Mrs. Eddy writes, "No wisdom is wise but His wisdom; no truth is true, no love is lovely, no life is Life but the divine; no good is, but the good God bestows" (Science and Health, p. 275). As God's expression, therefore, man is inseparable from all that is truly good, from an inexhaustible spiritual source. And he can never be outclassed or frustrated.

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