Being a Perfectionist in an Imperfect World

Guest Blogger: Jessica Everett

Jessica is a mom of three. She loves music and is an avid reader of anything and everything.

I have often struggled with being a perfectionist. Oh, it can have its good points. I am very detail oriented. I like to complete tasks. I am organized and neat. However, more often than not I struggle with it.

I get anxiety over not completing tasks, as a mom this happens more and more. I struggle with feelings of inadequacy if things are not done completely, perfectly, and with time to spare. I struggle with guilt if I mess up. I struggle with anger and frustration when others don’t do things perfectly. My mind knows that I cannot expect others to do things perfectly and that I am being unreasonable. After all, we perfectionists are a minority. However, I want things done correctly and in a timely manner and then I get upset at myself that I cannot have perfect empathy and compassion when this does not happen.

The last few years I have really begun to see this side of myself more and more and am constantly having to remind myself that the world will not crumble if I cannot be superwoman that day and the sky will not fall if others are not perfect. No one is perfect! The Bible says so. It tells us “there is none that doeth good, no NOT ONE!” This “not one” includes me. I cannot be perfect. I cannot achieve this no matter how much I strive for it or how much I agonize over falling short. But that is ok.

God has made a way. He sent His only perfect son to die for me because I am not perfect. In return I am not expected to be perfect to pay Him back or earn it. I had a professor in college who told me that I should not strive for perfection but for excellence. And not because I could be excellent but because God deserved my excellence and I could represent Him and glorify Him by striving for excellence.

So while I still struggle sometimes with anxiety and frustration over not being able to do everything perfectly, I can remind myself that God loves me because I am imperfect and because I serve an amazing God I should strive for excellence to better serve and glorify Him.