The Fear of Imperfection
If there’s one thing that is true about us humans, it is that we are not perfect. We do not always get things right and we are known to make mistakes.
Yet some people are still bent on trying to prove that they can be perfect, whether to themselves or to other people. They are desperate to always get things right, to always be kind and patient and to always say and do the right things. They are afraid of making errors and failing and of ultimately, being imperfect.
But what you should know is that it’s not possible to be perfect. For as long as we are on this earth we will not get things correct a hundred percent of the time. And that’s okay.
You don’t need to suffer from a fear of imperfection. God has not given us a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7) and we are not under any pressure to be perfect.
There’s No Pressure
There is no need to put pressure on yourself to be perfect. God knows we make mistakes. He knows we won’t always get things right and yet He loves us anyway. He loved us whilst we were sinners (Romans 5:8) so why would He stop loving us because of our missteps?
God knew when He created us that we would fall short, that is why He gave us Jesus, so that we could rely on His goodness and perfection.
You Are Perfect in Jesus
You have been made the righteousness of God in Christ. This means that you are perfect in Jesus. (2 Corinthians 5:21) When God looks upon you He does not see your imperfections but He sees His spotless, pure Son.
It is so important that you grasp this. This is what will help you overcome your fear imperfection. When you understand that in Christ you are perfect, you’ll realize that you don’t need to strive for perfection anymore.
You are no longer living under the Old Testament where it was up to you to meet God’s perfect standard. You are a New Testament believer who operates under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Through Him you meet the righteous requirements of the Law. (Romans 8:4)
If you are to truly overcome your fear imperfection you must walk in the light of this truth. This is what will enable you to rest on Jesus’ finished work and stop trying to draw perfection from yourself.
Stop Drawing from Yourself
David writes in the book of Psalms Oh my soul, you have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord, my goodness is nothing apart from you.” (Psalm 16:2 (NJKV))
Then Jesus says in John 15:5
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
These passages of Scripture make it clear that any goodness we have is from God. Apart from Him we are cannot do anything let alone do anything perfectly. So why bother trying to be perfect through your own strength?
You’re not good or perfect. But you serve a God who is. So you need to stop trying to draw out that goodness and perfection from yourself. Instead abide in the Lord and draw from Him.
Another thing you must remember if you intend to overcome your fear of imperfection is that, it’s not about trying to prevent yourself from making mistakes. But, it’s about coming out of your failure having learned something new.
Be Open to Learning
Rather than viewing mistakes as gigantic failures, look at them as lessons. Every day is an opportunity to grow in the grace and knowledge of God and become more like Christ. It is a chance for you to grow into your identity as a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17) So be open to learning. In order to do this you must humble yourself and set aside your pride.
Set Aside Your Pride
If you want to overcome your fear of imperfection you must set aside your pride. This means that you need to make sure you’re not thinking of yourself more highly than you should.
Maybe consciously or subconsciously you think that you are perfect or good because of what you do? Or maybe you believe that you are always right? If so, you need to humble yourself and be more honest.
If you are too full of pride you will find it difficult to come to terms with your imperfections. This will hinder your growth as a Christian and keep you in bondage to you fear.
But God does not want us to live in bondage. He came to set us free from all afflictions, including fear. But you can only experience that freedom if you accept His grace and surrender to Him.
Surrender to the Lord
If you are to overcome your fear of imperfection, you must surrender to the Lord. You can do that by praying a simple prayer like this:
Lord, I am sorry for believing that I could be perfect, good or righteous apart from you. I confess my sin of self-righteousness, knowing that you are faithful and just to forgive. I surrender to you and allow You to work through me and change me. I rely upon You and draw from the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control from Your Spirit. Thank you for making me a new creation. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Don’t forget that the Lord cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7) He loves you and He is patient with you. When you slip He will lift you up and encourage you to try again. So don’t be afraid of imperfection. Lean into the Lord and trust in His perfection. Rest in Him and you will overcome your fear.
