The Permission To Be Human
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” - 2 Corinthians 12:9
Perfectionism is not the pursuit of excellence; it's the fear of failure disguised as high standards. It's the belief that you have to be flawless to be loved and accepted. It's exhausting, impossible, and ultimately destructive to your soul and your relationships.
The perfectionist lives in constant fear of making mistakes, disappointing others, or being exposed as inadequate. They set impossibly high standards for themselves and others, and they never feel satisfied with their achievements. They are slaves to the approval of others and prisoners of their own expectations.
But God's grace gives you permission to be human. You don't have to be perfect to be loved. You don't have to have it all together to be used by God. In fact, God often works best through our weaknesses because they force us to depend on Him instead of ourselves.
Paul had a thorn in his flesh that he asked God to remove three times. Instead of removing it, God told him that His grace was sufficient and His power was made perfect in weakness. Paul learned to boast in his weaknesses because they made room for God's strength to be displayed.
Identify one area where perfectionism has been controlling your life. Choose to embrace your humanity in that area and ask God to use your weakness to display His strength.
Prayer:
God, I confess that I have been trying to be perfect instead of trusting in Your grace. Help me to embrace my humanity and find freedom in Your love for me just as I am. Use my weaknesses to display Your strength. I choose to rest in Your grace instead of striving for perfection. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Perfectionism is not the pursuit of excellence; it's the fear of failure disguised as high standards. It's the belief that you have to be flawless to be loved and accepted. It's exhausting, impossible, and ultimately destructive to your soul and your relationships.
The perfectionist lives in constant fear of making mistakes, disappointing others, or being exposed as inadequate. They set impossibly high standards for themselves and others, and they never feel satisfied with their achievements. They are slaves to the approval of others and prisoners of their own expectations.
But God's grace gives you permission to be human. You don't have to be perfect to be loved. You don't have to have it all together to be used by God. In fact, God often works best through our weaknesses because they force us to depend on Him instead of ourselves.
Paul had a thorn in his flesh that he asked God to remove three times. Instead of removing it, God told him that His grace was sufficient and His power was made perfect in weakness. Paul learned to boast in his weaknesses because they made room for God's strength to be displayed.
Identify one area where perfectionism has been controlling your life. Choose to embrace your humanity in that area and ask God to use your weakness to display His strength.
Prayer:
God, I confess that I have been trying to be perfect instead of trusting in Your grace. Help me to embrace my humanity and find freedom in Your love for me just as I am. Use my weaknesses to display Your strength. I choose to rest in Your grace instead of striving for perfection. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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8 Comments
Thanks Pastor Ed. His grace is more than sufficient for me. I have like Paul prayed many times for my thorn to be taken from me. There are some things He lets stay. That’s for sure. When I came to Him though I came in with a mind full of reasons why I was not sufficient. Nobody could ever hurt me as badly as I hurt myself. I asked Him to remove the things about me I found to be faults. He didn’t tell me no problem Cj, I’ll remove those flaws. Instead He told me He could use somebody like me. And how very special and loved I was. I have found that He has found a way for me to be extremely useful. Maybe not a head liner in the evening news He has taken my “flaws” and turned them into assets. He said there was nothing wrong with me. That I only needed to be repurposed. When I started using what I have for His will on this earth everything changed. All of a sudden I found myself prepared for every situation big and small. I get to be the hero of the story! Amazing how He turns somebody like me into a respected and useful member of society today. A good Dad, hopefully good husband and friend brother son servant leader etc. so much. Still human and still have trouble but only as much as I am allowing to take place in my life before I get off the soap box and start focusing on what His vision for me is. Thanks again
Amen! May God continue to bless you and use you for His glory!
Amen! Beautiful testimony. Thanks for sharing. May God bless you as you continue to submit your life to him and accept and receive his love for you.?✝️?
Amen! May God continue to bless you and use you for His glory!
So good
Amen! May God continue to bless you and use you for His glory!
Amen! Beautiful testimony. Thanks for sharing. May God bless you as you continue to submit your life to him and accept and receive his love for you.?✝️?
Amen! May God continue to bless you and use you for His glory!
Amen.
I don't think I have ever linked my tendency towards perfectionism as fear or failure or seeking approval of others…but was positively convicted this morning. I do feel closest to God and have peace when I share my weaknesses being overcome by the God’s power!
Thank you Lord Jesus ...for always putting the Goddly person in my path. To remind me of your love and you never forsaken us in all situation. Strenghtness my faith and i know your always with . In Jesus Holy name . I surrender my life to you..Amen
Wow, I was just talking this morning to the bass player on a worship team I’m currently servicing on. After I missed a slight beat (drums) that was off, but no one except me noticed ( I found this out later). But I asked him “are you a perfectionist ? And he said no, and I followed up with saying how I was and didn’t like how I played the wrong beat for about 10 seconds of a song we just played. Then I read your message for the day just now and it literally speak probably my biggest weakness in worship drumming / trying to be perfect. Thank you pastor it’s moments like these that I know God is using you and so many others to encourage and drop certain unrealistic expectations I have for myself. Thank you