Flag on the Play, Part 5: Did Not Finish // Tiffany Nunnally

In a race, DNF means "Did Not Finish." You started but didn't make it to the end. In this message, Tiffany Nunnally tells us how to avoid a spiritual DNF—and how to bounce back when we do fail. A spiritual DNF is failing to walk in obedience to God's calling on our lives.

2 Timothy 4:7-8: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith... the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing."

Everyone experiences failure—maybe in marriage, or by neglecting spiritual disciplines. But failure isn't a period; it's a comma. It's not the end—just a chapter.

Acts 20:24: "My life is worth nothing... unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus."

Why do we fail?

1. Pride

Pride leaders to injury, and injury leads to failure. Pride causes spiritual injury. It makes us rely on ourselves instead of God. Proverbs 16:18: "Pride goes before destruction; and a haughty spirit before a fall." Pride leads to burnout, burnout to discouragement, and discouragement to quitting.

Spiritual burnout happens when we try to earn God's or others' approval, ignoring rest and God's guidance. No one can run on empty. Doing everything often means doing nothing well. Knowledge can be solo, but character requires community. Pace yourself. If you start too fast from pride or competition, you'll burn out.

2. Laziness

Don't get caught being undertrained and unprepared.  Laziness says, "It's good enough."

2 Tim. 4:2: "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction."

Failure happens when we make excuses, let busyness rule, or believe we're the exception. Complacency makes us overestimate ourselves. Faith is trust + preparation; complacency is ego + entitlement.

3. Insecurity

Don't disqualify yourself before starting. God wants you, not your perfection. Fear of failure leads to fear of trying.

2 Timothy 1:7: "God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline."

Comparison steals joy and distracts. Your identity in Christ fights insecurity.

4. Ignorance (Mistakes)

We can't succeed without experience—or grace.

Ephesians 2:8: "By grace you have been saved through faith. and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God."

When we fail:

• Recover, but plan for re-entry.
• Rebuild the foundation.
• Recognize (acknowledge previous errors).
• Relationships (we repair in community) (James 5:16).
• Repeat. Fail forward. Even falling moves you forward.

Don't disqualify yourself. The only true failure is DNS—Did Not Start.

Hebrews 12:1: "Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us."

Love failure. Love conviction and repentance—it keeps us dependent on the only one who never fails. The goal isn't perfection, but dependence.

How are YOU bouncing back from failure?