Perfectionism is the enemy of peace. It says that only perfection brings fullness and joy. Perfectionism is a liar. It lurks in families and seeks to destroy marriages and rip away children from parents because nothing is ever good enough. Perfectionism is a satanic cloak of deception worn by those given to desire the thing that only Jesus could achieve. Perfectionism wants to be Jesus.
You may feel these are strong words, but I believe them to be true.
I once led a life steered by a corrupt desire for perfection while I was living the most unperfect kind of life. Living as a hypocrite and demanding perfection from others when I could barely live a decent life myself.
What then?
Who can stand the measure of perfection?
Perfection is a thief. It robs us from real relationships. It robs us from growing because we are so afraid of making a mistake. Mistakes are a part of growing. Learning from them brings true wisdom and grace. Yes, perfection is a thief.
We are messy. It’s part of the growth process. Pushing up from beneath the ground to bloom, is messy. Yes, messy is a part of life.
As a mother I see this every day. My children are all at different places in their growth and maturity. I have learned not to be surprised when one of them makes a mess. I’m not talking about a physical mess; I’m talking about an emotional mess. As kids learn to wade through the process of taking thoughts captive and searching them out, we will likely see some messes. As adults we should be ready to help clean them up, show them truth, and send them off to discover another mess.
Yes, perfection is the enemy of growth.
Perfection says, “Only I can be right.” As it parades haughtily through life, shoving down all others it comes in contact with. Such foolishness. Oh, how God must laugh when He watches us pretend, we know everything.
Ultimately, perfection is an enemy of God.
Yes, you read that right. Perfection says, “I don’t need God. I am just fine on my own.” Perfectionism declares that all others must measure up to it…while it stands in shocking insufficiency. Perfectionism is a lie.
God, I repent of all perfectionism. Please remove the cloak of perfectionism from my shoulders and wrap me in Your mercy. I trust You. You are my measure. I stand complete only through Jesus. Give me grace for others, as You have so much grace toward me. I love You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
But we do see Jesus, Who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for Whom and through Whom everything exists, should make the Pioneer of their salvation perfect through what He suffered. Hebrews 2:9-10
365 Days in the Presence 