In Rudyard Kipling’s American Notes, the author penned these words after embarking on a journey across the country.

“We have forty million reasons for failure, but not a single excuse.”

It’s a great observation, and good advice, if you take it.

And this applies not only to you, but for understanding others.

When you read it, you may initially think it’s about the latter part, “not a single excuse” but there’s gold in the beginning and end.  

A plethora of reasons  

You see, we often jump right to the end and say “There’s no excuse!” for some action we find abhorrent.

You’re right.

There are many things for which, after all is said and done, there is no excuse.

But you’ll lack understanding and may be unable to prevent its re-occurrence if you miss out on the reasons why something happened.

It doesn’t “excuse” the person or action.

But it does give you insight and understanding.

And you can benefit from this going forward.  

Examples abound  

Let’s take adultery.

Going by God’s Word, it’s wrong. There is no excuse for it.

But reasons?

Plenty.

The most common one is a spouse was repeatedly denied sex over months or years.

If the adulterer is a man, another reason might be the wife was a very contentious woman, which God repeatedly warns in Proverbs makes a man want to hide out or get away from her, in increasingly greater distances. He goes from a corner of the housetop to the wilderness, etc.

Perhaps he found a woman who makes him feel a certain way, and he eventually chose to be with her.

Any excuse for it?

No.

Reasons? Yes.

It is the reasons for a thing that can help you not only understand, but to fix issues in your life.

When a man complains about his wife not being or doing things God commands, there is no excuse for her actions.

But any reasons for her actions?

A lot!

Maybe he isn’t fulfilling his role as her head/authority. Or he’s abusing it.

Maybe he has no vision, no mission or doesn’t offer her opportunities to be his help meet.

Maybe he’s a fat slob and blow jobs are out of the question in her mind because she finds him repulsive.

It could be his lack of drive and hours of gaming are more important to him than God’s desire for him to win souls for the kingdom.

There are plenty of reasons, but no excuses.  

Reasons to grow  

Think on these things and use them to grow.

Find the reasons something happened.

Then correct them so you’re not in the same situation as before.

See how much self-ownership and taking control of your life erases problems, instills confidence and makes things go a lot better for you.

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous” God tells us, “but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.”

Sometimes God’s deliverance is you getting smart about what is really going on and you taking action on the understanding and revelation that is given to you.

We know that “wisdom is the principle thing” and God greatly encourages you “with all thy getting, get understanding.”

If you’ve failed (or are failing) in an area, know the “40 million reasons” and take ownership of them.

Which brings us to the latter part of Kipling’s quote…

“We have forty million reasons for failure, but not a single excuse.”  

Yes, it’s on you  

At the end of the day, you’re responsible for you.

Don’t pass the buck.

Don’t place blame.

Don’t explain, rationalize or excuse.

DO one thing. Take action.

Starting with a foundation in God’s Word, start getting about what needs to be done to build the life you want in accordance with God’s commands.

There is a A LOT that can done to fix, to heal, to restore, to do many things to overcome failures and that make for a happy, successful, immensely enjoyable life that honors God.

One thing you cannot do, though, is get back time.

The hours every day you’re spending on who knows what? The weeks that have passed? The months? Man, the years or decades?

Start now and get going.

Make use of the here and now.

You’ll be glad you did.

Oh, and the old proverb? “The best time to plant a tree? 20 years ago. The second best time? Now.”  

Understanding others  

In reflecting on all of this, it’s helpful to consider others.

We get mad and angry and upset and who knows what else (and sometimes rightly so because of their actions) but think about the potential reasons why someone did something.

It can give clarity. It can release pent up emotions and help heal. It can offer a way forward that benefits you and them.

This goes double for your spouse and children.

You don’t excuse their behavior, if it’s wrong. But you should strive to understand it.

After all, the Bible tells husbands to “dwell with your wives according to understanding.”

And having that understanding, to act appropriately to correct it, starting with yourself (beams and specks) and then others.  

A biblical example  

What if you saw a man break into a store and steal?

You might be angry. You work hard, play by the rules, and do things the right way. You pay for your stuff.

You respect property rights.

As various thoughts enter your mind, you find out the man was literally starving, as was his kids. So he stole to help keep from dying and provide something for his children.

God tells us in the bible:

“People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry” - Proverbs 6:30

God understands that if people know the reasons behind something, depending on what they are, it can change your perspective.

God also knows there is no excuse, and in the Old Testament, he required a four-fold restitution.

Reasons don’t obviate the need for punishment, nor do they excuse bad behavior.

Use them for what they are. Gain understanding.

And remember, no matter the reasons—how many or legitimate they are—you are the one accountable.

To God, to yourself, and family, your own and those in Christ.  

Where will you start?  

There are many areas we can all apply this.

  • Getting in God’s Word.

  • Winning souls.

  • Lifting consistently

  • Loving.

  • Successful work.

  • Making friends.

  • Healing, physical or otherwise.

  • Keeping God’s commandments.

  • Fulfilling your roles and responsibilities in marriage.

  • Achieving that dream you want.

You can do this. I’m cheering for you.

To understanding reasons and erasing excuses, - RPW

Cross posted from: 40 million reasons and not a single excuse