The price of perfection.

Hidden Dangers of Chasing Perfection.

N ot too long ago, I had worked myself to black-out exhaustion. I had stretched myself too thin and not given myself space and grace to take a break. My Google calendar looked like a Christmas tree, and I dared to add additional colors, blocking off days I didn’t have to spend. One day, it all came to a head when I fell asleep at work and later nodded off behind the wheel. Have you ever worked so hard that as soon as your butt hits the seat, you let it breathe you in, claiming you as its prize? After a short stay in the emergency room, I learned perfection comes at a price.

Perfection is unrealistic, but most of us are rushing into it anyway. I’m thinking of a recent conversation with a friend of mine. She’s the kind of person who makes you feel at home in your own skin. We talked for hours, and the topic of perfection came up. What made me step back was when she said we will never reach perfection on this side of Heaven. I hope she knows my heart smiled at that moment, but maybe we can. I’ve felt insignificant for so long that I’ve masked it by overstimulating myself. I hid behind my schedule because it made me feel valued and important. I had tried to hide my weaknesses instead of uncovering them so God could cover them with His perfect strength.

Perhaps we can all taste perfection on this side of Heaven, but only when we realize our strength has run out and give God a shot. Some of us have been trying to make it through life by getting as many likes and follows as possible. We’re chasing the rabbit’s tail, and it jumps into its hole every time we get within reach. This leaves us feeling unfulfilled because we walk away empty-handed. Some of us have caught up to the rabbit and grabbed hold of its foot, only to get roundhouse kicked right in our face and knocked on our butts. Which wasn’t the happy ending we were sold. From my personal experiences, worldly perfection only leads to anxiety and depression.

I don’t know about you but I don't like to talk about my weaknesses. God responded with grace when Paul cried out to God for his weakness. God told Paul that his grace was sufficient. Most of us have never experienced God’s grace because we are ashamed of uncovering our weaknesses. So we overwork, stay busy, or don’t show up authentically. We believe that no one is going to notice that we are insecure. The problem is that we can’t hide our weaknesses from God. Paul understood that he was a man with limitations. He chose wisdom instead of foolishness. It was his joy to boast in his weakness so that the power of Jesus would be alive within himself. How many times have you heard someone brag about their weaknesses?

Ever walked into a company meeting, and the manager said, “Today, I want everyone to take the low road and be weak?” Even in our personal lives, we struggle to balance what’s realistic from what’s superficial, and we pay for it. I’ve watched marriages fall apart because of this. Children have grown up with this idea of perfection and later checked into therapy because they couldn’t carry the weight they were handed. No amount of money can fix a lack of acceptance. No relationship can fix insecurity. If you struggle with these issues, you’re not alone. I do not naturally boast about my insecurities, and I’m not sure if you are the same. I’d rather hide them. Store them away and focus on my strength. God wants our weaknesses because he takes imperfect things and makes them strong.

Being perfect for me has always been about being liked when I break it down. I’ve used work as a medium to build my popularity. Paul wasn’t trying to be liked; he was trying to be the opposite of liked. The people were calling him a false apostle. It was said that he was an imposter. Paul often talked about how imperfect he was and that no one should think more highly of themselves than they are. Although I don’t like praise, I appreciate recognition. Where I went wrong was doing my work in front of men to receive their recognition. If I was looking for anyone’s recognition, it should have been God’s. Whatever it is that we do we should do it to please The Lord.

Trying to be perfect by everyone else’s standards can and will lead to you being exploited. The best part about being imperfect and weak in The Lord is that God takes the weak things of the world to shame the strong. You can only be perfect once you walk with the perfect one. We are to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect. God wants your business to succeed and your finances to grow, but He doesn’t want your love of work and money to take the throne of your heart. I hope that you have learned from my mistakes. I tried to humble myself and share something tangible that most people struggle with. Perfection comes at a cost. God’s already paid the price. If you want to do things His way, He will show you how.

🌟 Exploring the realms of thought through words. Master’s Degree holder in Science, specializing in Organizational Management and Leadership Development.

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