In this powerful and deeply personal episode of The Cynthia Garrett Podcast, Cynthia Garrett speaks to one of the most painful and universal human experiences: failure. Whether in relationships, finances, career, faith, or personal choices, we’ve all faced moments that sting with disappointment and shame. But Cynthia reminds us of a truth that changes everything: failure is never the final word for a child of God.

Through scripture, biblical stories, and her own reflections, Cynthia uncovers how God transforms failure into fuel for growth, intimacy, and restoration. From Peter’s denial and restoration, to Moses, David, Elijah, and Paul — Scripture shows us that God delights in using broken people for His glory. What feels like defeat becomes the soil for God’s greatest victories.

Cynthia also offers four practical steps to respond when you feel like a failure:

1. Bring it into the light – Confess and allow healing to begin (James 5:16).
2. Receive God’s forgiveness – Leave your failure at the cross.
3. Learn from it – Let failure become your greatest teacher.
4. Move forward – Don’t camp at your failure site; press on toward God’s calling (Philippians 3:13-14).

At the center of it all is the cross — a moment that looked like history’s greatest failure but became the greatest victory of all time. Just as resurrection followed the cross, your story doesn’t end in defeat. The God who restored Peter, Moses, David, Elijah, Paul — and countless others — wants to restore you too.