Perfectionism is the great paralyzer. It tells us that we shouldn’t take a step, make a decision, or try anything new because it might not be just right. The basis of this for many believers is what I call the “God’s perfect will” myth. Like the standards of the Pharisees, it does have an element of truth in it. But it misses the heart of what God truly intends.
The “God’s perfect will” myth says this: “God has one perfect will for my life. It’s like a straight path, and if I take one wrong step off it, then I’ve messed up everything.”
What’s the natural response if that’s true? Stand very, very still. That’s exactly what the enemy would like for you to do. Don’t move forward. Don’t grow. Don’t try new things. Just wait for the rapture and hope you don’t die of boredom first.
Yes, God does have a perfect will. But it’s not like a straight path. It’s more like a GPS. God has destinations for our lives, yes, but He also understands there will be detours, wrong turns, and delays along the way. That means for us to discover God’s will, we’ve got to get in the car and start going somewhere.
Paul describes the process of finding God’s will this way: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Rom. 12:2).
Test and approve are active words. They’re experimental. They imply trying something and seeing what happens. If you’re supposed to be perfect, then you don’t feel the freedom to take risks. Every time you test something and it doesn’t work out, you see it as failure and a source of fear. In contrast, God is more likely to see it as part of the growth journey in your life.
I’m leaving for a road trip in a few days. My husband and I along with some friends will make our way to a new city. We know we want to end up in a particular place. But in many ways, that’s not the point. What matters most to us is being together, building our relationships, making memories, and experiencing life.
Yes, God may have some specific stops in His will for us along the way, but we ultimately all have the same destination—heaven. And because of Jesus, nothing is going to stop us from getting there. His perfect will is to be with us forever. And that’s going to happen—no matter what.
So let God take you on adventures you never expected and lead you to places you never dreamed were even out there. And even if you get off track for a while, He’ll always be willing to get you back to where you’re supposed to be.
Life is not about standing still. It’s about moving forward. Don’t let “perfection” paralyze you. Get in the car and enjoy the ride, my friend.
XOXO
From You’re Loved No Matter What: Freeing Your Heart from the Need to Be Perfect
Would you like to subscribe by email?
*****
photo by the lovely Charity Craig
Welcome to the Coffee for Your Heart weekly link-up! You’re an encourager so I’m asking you to pour out a little love with your words every Wednesday {link-up goes live at 5:30am CST}. Simply write an encouraging blog post and then share it here. Don’t have a blog? You can still write an encouraging comment. If you’re reading this by email, go to holleygerth.com to see all the fun and join in too.
Giveaway and Optional Writing Prompt: For the next few weeks, the Wednesday posts are going to be about getting free from the pressure to be perfect. I’ll have an optional writing prompt for you about that topic. If you write about it, link up and include my new book You’re Loved No Matter What: Freeing Your Heart from the Need to Be Perfect in your post somewhere, you’ll be entered to win a God’s Heart for You necklace {U.S. residents only}. Thanks to DaySpring for providing the necklaces! Congratulations to Maria Marino for winning last week! If you don’t have a blog, you can share today’s post on Facebook, leave a comment here saying you did and answer the prompt in your comment.
The prompt for today was: Who has inspired you because of their perseverance?
Next Wednesday’s prompt is: Where are you learning and finding freedom from perfection?
Pretty please use this button in your blog post so others can easily join in with us {html code in right sidebar}. And when you link up your post, take a moment to leave an encouraging comment on the one that’s linked up just before yours. Thanks, friends! 
I’m having Coffee For Your Heart with my friend Holley Gerth
