Being a Perfectionist in an Imperfect World

At some point in time, we all clamor for the perfect day.  A day where you get out of bed, and the birds are chirping, you are well rested, and the weather is perfect.  Everyone treats you the way you want to be treated.  You get everything done the way you want, down to your every minute detailed.  You check off your list one by one as you complete every task and by the end of the day you have made it home to sit back in your recliner. You smile because everything went according to plan and you can cap off the day with a wonderful night of sleep because after all, you just enjoyed the perfect day.

The reality is that after you wake up, you realize that the previous day really did not exist and it was all but a dream.  Welcome to the world of a perfectionist where everything is scrutinized and has a place in a perfect order.  A perfectionist is someone who "[a] propensity for being displeased with anything that is not perfect  or does not meet extremely high standards".  The root word "perfect" means to be "correct or precise" or "excellent in all respects".

The issue with a person of this nature is that they are trying to be perfect in a world of imperfect people.  Antoine, what do I mean by this?  Look at it like this.  If we were all perfect, no one would have flaws, we'd create flawless situations, the world would be an utopia, and I would not be writing this blog entry.  The reality is that it is not a perfect world.  When we try to perfect things on our own accord, things are fine until something goes wrong (which is almost always going to happen).  We put the enormous amounts of pressure on ourselves to make everything just right, but we are incapable of doing this. 

This is where the Lord wants us to be....at a place where we recognize our ways are not perfect and we cannot do it without Him.  I realized this a while ago and I started using 2 Samuel 22:33 as a tag at the bottom of every email that I send.   I like for things to have order.  I like for details to go according to plan, but doing it without the aide of the Holy Spirit is a futile attempt.  "It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect" (see 2 Samuel 22:33).  It is not Me who builds me up with strength so that I can make my way perfect.  Every now and again, I have to remind myself of this and you should too.   As we strive towards perfection in Jesus Christ, the more we have to lean on Him for guidance and direction on our journey of life.

In your strive towards perfection, do not let what you CANNOT do bring you down, but let what your Father in Heaven CAN do lift you up! Be blessed folks and have a good one!

Regards,

Antoine E. Hall

Blog:      http://toinebo.blogspot.com
Twitter:     http://www.twitter.com/AntoineHall

"It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect." - 2 Samuel 22:33