There is something profoundly beautiful about sincerely acknowledging our imperfections. Recognizing that we are all imperfect should not diminish the standard of perfection we aspire to. Instead, it should motivate us to cultivate the “fruit of the Spirit” qualities: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.
There are two unhealthy ways to express imperfection:
- Giving Up: When imperfection leads to giving up and believing that improvement is impossible, it often results in depression. This mindset is both unfortunate and untrue. Any behavior can be changed by understanding the six sources of influence that work against us.
- Insecurity and Ego: When imperfection breeds insecurity, it can be masked by an overbearing ego. These individuals are often difficult to connect with, as they misinterpret and misuse strength. They lack empathy and emotional intelligence, leading to a need to control others. However, don’t be intimidated by these bullies; they are often the weakest.
The perfect perspective on imperfection is to understand that you were created to be loved by God. The most important thing you can do is to love Him back, get to know Him, and build a relationship with Him. In doing so, you can feel secure and beautiful in your imperfection, and your life will have purpose. You will no longer struggle with low self-esteem or insecurity, living to satisfy Him rather than your ego.
As Hosea 6:6 says, “I don’t want your sacrifices, I want your love; I don’t want your offerings, I want you to know me.” God desires your attention more than any service to Him. You were created to have a relationship with Him and bring Him glory. Service and good works naturally flow from that relationship, but our foremost responsibility is to spend time with Him, finding security in our imperfect perfection.
This post was originally published on September 23, 2018, and is republished today with significant updates and meaningful enhancements.
MindWolves 