We hear the word perfectionism and we immediately think of the way society views it- as this harmful thing. But yet, we still strive for it. We know it is unhealthy, but secretly we still crave it. We think to ourselves, “It is an impossible standard, but I can still push myself as hard as possible to make sure I get as close to it as possible.”
What happens then? We fall short and likely beat ourselves up over it.
We will not and cannot reach the perfection we so long for. And when we miss the mark, we feel insignificant and broken down. Striving toward perfectionism is truly dangerous, and it’s about time we break free from it, once and for all.
God’s Word tells us that we are fallible. We will mess up and make mistakes. We can’t reach perfection. There was only one person to ever walk this earth that was incapable of failing, and that was Jesus Christ.
We have to stop holding ourselves up to God-sized expectations, because we will fall short, and we should rejoice in that. I know that sounds weird. Why in the world would I rejoice in my weaknesses? Why would I be happy about falling short? The answer is simple:
The Lord shines through our weaknesses, and when we open up and show the world that we are eager to allow Him to work, then the world sees that maybe they might need Him, too.
2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.” Christ’s power is perfected in weakness, and His is the only power that can be perfect.
We need to cut ourselves some slack. It is amazing and wonderful to be ambitious and to work hard, but when we put too much pressure on ourselves, we become self-destructive. Allow Christ’s power to fill us where we are weak. Allow ourselves to be freed from this idea that we have to be perfect at everything, because we will fall short. It is far better to fall knowing Jesus will pick us up than to fall thinking we’re solely responsible for everything and to beat ourselves up over it.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hayley Wilson: Hayley Wilson currently serves on the Women’s Ministry Team at London Bridge Baptist Church in Virginia Beach. She has a passion for serving the Lord through helping women grow in their faith and maintain a strong relationship with Him.
