I read a statistic this morning that 25-30% of young people struggle with an unhealthy form of perfectionism—a personality trait that involves having unrealistic expectations for self and others. Anxiety overwhelms these young people with the fear of failure or even simply making a mistake. For them, flawless living is the perceived goal to success and many times striving to please other people consumes their individuality and creativity.
Perfectionism may be prevalent in young people, but we all struggle with a taste of it. Failure—not being able to fulfill the desired outcome—is emotionally unpleasant and it certainly leaves its mark on every soul. Trauma can cause false perceptions of the truth. However, perfectionism is an impossible standard to achieve. Perfection is an illusion in this fallen world and it will never be achieved in our human strength.
We must stop comparing ourselves to others. You are a unique creation of Almighty God; you are filled with wonder and awe (Ps 139:14). On top of that basic truth, we now need to invite Jesus to rule our lives. He is the only Perfect One.
So, let’s connect to Christ and be grateful for his love, acceptance, forgiveness, and guidance. We can grow way beyond our failures into that unique creation in Christ. Our lives are designed to bring glory to God—the true goal to success. On our own, pleasing God is impossible, but with God all things are possible (Mat 19:26).
In our passage today from the Book of Hebrews, the writer encourages us to run the race of life with endurance, because living for the glory of God is hard work. If we lean into perfectionism, we will not want to run, because we will face disappointments, struggles, and perhaps even failure by the world’s standard. But God NEVER gives up on us and he is laser-focused on our hearts, not our performance.
We cannot perform or earn our way into heaven; we need the Savior. Jesus certainly cares about righteous living and we are learning to please him; he transforms our motives and desires according to his glorious standard of Love. Therefore, we must press on knowing Jesus is waiting at life’s finish line for us…inviting us to cross over to his complete and perfect image by grace through faith (Eph 2:8-9). Hallelujah!
Hebrews 12:3-17 NLT
3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people;[those who hurt themselves by opposing him] then you won’t become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.
5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? [sons] He said,
“My child,[son] don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and don’t give up when he corrects you.
6
For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”
7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father?
8 If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?[really live]
10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.
A Call to Listen to God
14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. 15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. 16 Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal. 17 You know that afterward, when he wanted his father’s blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he begged with bitter tears.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for this encouragement today. We need to honor you with our lives, but also rest in your work to bring righteousness to our souls. As we yield to the work of the Holy Spirit, we are believers who are becoming more like you. When we fall, you pick us up and help us continue in the race of faith. Today, we cast down any worldly spirit of perfectionism for the truth that you are making us sons and daughters. We are blessed to belong to you and to be disciplined by your love. In Jesus’ name.