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The Men of Iron Minute

by Chad Zueck | Director of Content Creation

Successful Failure

“Houston, we’ve had a problem!”

 

These words have been enshrined into U.S. history by the events of the Apollo 13 space mission. These calmly spoken words from astronaut Jim Lovell brought a shocking reality to the country. In those days, astronauts were rock stars, and the country was thrust into the space race. Astronauts were no strangers to the spotlight because their daring exploits had been memorialized in blood.

While carrying out their regular maintenance tasks in the Service Module, which involved stirring the liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen in their tanks, the astronauts on board Apollo 13 experienced a muffled noise that reverberated throughout the docked spacecraft. Jim Lovell and Fred Haise were in the Lunar Module, while Jack Swigert was with Lovell in the Command Module. At the same exact time, 55 hours, 55 minutes, and 4 seconds into the mission, Mission Control detected an abrupt disruption in the spacecraft’s communication. This interruption was accompanied by an unusual crackling sound in an otherwise silent radio stream.

Within seconds, several controllers responsible for monitoring spacecraft systems began reporting peculiar data to Flight Director Eugene F. “Gene” Kranz. These reports included the main computer restarting, prompting immediate troubleshooting efforts to address this unfamiliar problem. On board the spacecraft, approximately 1 to 2 seconds after the noise occurred, several lights illuminated the cockpit. In response to these indicators, Swigert contacted Mission Control and uttered the famous words, “Houston, we’ve had a problem.”

The crew relocated to a safer place and plotted a way of return. Failure was not an option. With innovation, intervention, and determination, the crew splashed down near Samoa, where the U.S. Navy gave them a hero’s welcome. Apollo 13 was deemed a “successful failure.”

 

Can a man have success after failure? The answer is yes!

 

Here are a few steps to success.

Don’t deny your failure. Instead.

  • Hear God’s Word and do it. (James 1:22, 4:17)
  • Don’t think you are above sinning and failing. (Galatians 6:3)
  • Resist to urge to think you are wiser on your own. (1 Corinthians 3:18-19)
  • Admit that you have reaped what you’ve sown. (Galatians 6:7)
  • Lean into the grace of God. (James 4:6)

 

Every man of God who is willing to admit he was wrong can be a “successful failure” by God’s grace.

 

Do something.

Dare greatly.

Be a better man.

 

 

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