A couple of months ago I took up the drums and tennis. I’m still doing triathlons but I thought it was time to have some hobbies to fall back on once my body broke down :).
Playing the drums is hard! Playing tennis is hard! More than once the thought has entered my mind to give up these new ambitions because “I’d never be good enough.”
I’m wise enough to know these thoughts of giving up were based out of my desire to do things perfectly…but thankfully I’m old enough to know I will never perfect either. My goal is to learn enough about both that I can enjoy them as hobbies.
Perfectionism is a tool the devil uses to paralyze us. If he can get us to believe our worth is only found when we do things perfectly, he wins. Perfection is not humanly possible.
Most successful people have failed a lot more than they have ever succeeded. It’s not failure that destroys dreams, it is self-doubt.  Doubt that whatever we are doing is not going to be good enough.
There is nothing wrong with practicing for perfection, but expecting perfection is unrealistic and will either drive you or others around you crazy–or drive you to give up.
I heard this little jingle years ago and still say it to myself today: “Good, better, best, never let it rest until your good is better and your better is your best. In other words always strive for progress, not perfection.
And by the way, God does His best work through our imperfections…I definitely write from experience on this on.
Reflection:
What beliefs, thoughts and actions cause you to struggle with perfectionism and doubt in your abilities?
Read and reflect:Â 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Isaiah 40:31, Proverbs 3:5-8
P.E.A.C.E.
Jay@EagleLaunch.com
P.S. If you know of someone who may benefit from walking with us on this Lenten journey, please forward to them.
