So, I was helping my sister cook for a 50th birthday party in our kitchen. I’ll be honest, I am not the greatest cook but I am good at following step by step instructions. My sister had designed a delectable dessert menu for a friends party and my whole job was to basically cut and prepare various fruits for some yummy food she was putting together. Sounds simple, right? Well, a lesson I learned today was that a lot can go wrong even with the simplest of things. For instance, one task was just to pit a bag full of cherries. All I had to do was use the pitting tool and pop the seed out of each cherry. By the time I had gotten through the bag, my dining table looked like a homicide scene from CSI. The cherry juice was everywhere including all over me! Don’t get me started on me scooping the watermelon balls for the fruit kebab sticks!
You might not see the error of my ways, but across the day, there were plenty of mistakes made. Life happens, and sometimes, we make mistakes. But it got me thinking about how we respond that makes all the difference. I could have got frustrated and chucked a tantrum at my lack of skills or at the mess I had made. Instead, I decided to turn on my favourite Spotify playlist, stand up and dance to some tunes as I made more mess.
Although, that approach is not really helpful outside of the home, it did teach me a few things about how to correct things when you’ve messed up (that doesn’t necessarily involve cooking). Here’s my thoughts:
1. Acknowledge the Mistake Honestly
Denying or justifying mistakes only delays healing. Start by admitting what went wrong. It’s a sign of maturity and integrity to say, “I messed up, and I take responsibility.”
💡 Example: If you forgot a loved one’s birthday, own it instead of making excuses.
📖 Bible Verse: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” — 1 John 1:9
2. Apologize with Sincerity
There’s nothing worse than when someone apologies for the sake of it or without genuine empathy. A sincere apology shows you care about the relationship, not just clearing your conscience. Use empathetic language that reflects understanding of the hurt or frustration you may have caused.
💡 Example: Saying, “I’m truly sorry I hurt you by not keeping my promise,” is far more meaningful than a simple “Sorry.”
📖 Bible Verse: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” — Proverbs 15:1
3. Make Things Right
Action speaks louder than words. Ask, “How can I make this right?” and follow through with tangible steps to fix the issue.
💡 Example: If you missed a work deadline, offer to stay late or work extra hours to complete the project.
📖 Bible Verse: “Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others.” — Philippians 2:4
4. Learn the Lesson
Every mistake carries a lesson. Reflect on what went wrong and implement changes to avoid repeating it. Growth transforms failure into a stepping stone.
💡 Example: If you overspent on your budget, create a financial plan to track expenses moving forward.
📖 Bible Verse: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” — Psalm 90:12
5. Extend Grace to Yourself
Beating yourself up won’t help you or anyone else. Accept God’s grace and move forward. Mistakes don’t define you; how you recover does.
💡 Example: After an argument, pray for wisdom and peace to approach the person again with love and understanding.
📖 Bible Verse: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9
Just because you’ve messed up, doesn’t mean your life is over. Yes, there might be consequences to your mistake. But mistakes are opportunities for growth, not the end of the story. With honesty, humility, and God’s guidance, you can turn any setback into a comeback.
Take care, Anns
Christian Upgrade 