Perfectionist Vs. Excellence

By: Nancy Abiera

 

We’ve all heard the phrase: “Nobody is perfect”. I agree with this phrase, because I know God alone is perfect. Perfection is God’s job not ours. On the other hand, there is another common phrase we hear and sometimes believe: “Practice makes perfect”. I disagree with this because we are making ourselves equal to God to some degree. Yes, we can be like God based on the truth that we are made in His image and likeness. However, we are not equal to God Himself. Practice, on the other hand, can make us good, better or the best versions of ourselves.

In my younger years, I used to be a perfectionist, and I was addicted to perfectionism. I remember how I was influenced by my father’s advice: “If you can’t do it right, don’t do it at all.”

Later in life, I realized that perfectionism is very different from excellence. Perfectionism is “doing things right,” which is about image. Excellence is “doing the right things,” which pertains to our identity and integrity.

The Bible says in Matthew 5:48, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

We can only attain perfection by uniting and being in communion with God through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the righteousness (perfection) of God Himself who came to earth and became like us. Trying to be perfect without God is perfectionism because a person is striving alone in his/her own strength, which clearly shows his/her human weaknesses. It is acting in superiority in order to hide inferiority. It is trusting in one’s self instead of trusting in God. When we trust God, we are surrendering our weaknesses, flaws and imperfections so that He can make us strong, holy and perfect in Him. It’s not about us changing but it’s all about Him exchanging and giving His Perfect Son to live in us, for us and through us.

Perfectionism covers our flaws as a coping mechanism to hide our imperfections. When God covers us with the blood of Jesus, that is what makes us perfect. He sees Jesus in us, not just us. My six year old grandson, JJ, gave me a Christmas gift of a red canvas painting he made in school. He said the painting is of the blood of Jesus. This blood is so powerful that it covers all our imperfections, flaws and brokenness. I was amazed how God used JJ to touch my heart with this Christmas gift, and I wanted to share it with you, praying that God will also touch your hearts for this new year.

Allow me to share some of the things I learned in life transitioning from being a perfectionist to aiming for excellence:

1. Perfectionism is viewing ourselves as flawed and defective. It is a sign of worthlessness. Aiming for excellence is viewing ourselves as a work-in-progress traveling on a journey.

2. Perfectionism is fear-based, avoiding all risks and playing it safe in our comfort zones. Excellence is faith-based, willing to give God our best and take whatever risks believing that all things are possible with God. The “impossible” turns into “I’m possible.”

3. Perfectionism leads to frustration, anger, stress and tension. Excellence leads to fulfillment and a sense of accomplishment of the goals we’ve set.

4. Perfectionism uses control as motivation. Excellence uses empowerment that motivates.

5. Perfectionism is unbelief hidden in doubt and double-mindedness. Excellence is single-mindedness with confidence and healthy selfesteem because our identity is rooted to our Creator.

6. Perfectionism sets you up for failure because of unrealistic expectations from yourself and others. Excellence is aimed for success because it clearly defines measurable God-given goals.

7. Perfectionism is critical and discouraging. Excellence edifies, builds-up and encourages.

8. Perfectionism hates mistakes because mistakes mean failure. Excellence befriends mistakes knowing that mistakes produce possible life lessons in disguise.

My son, Jeff Abiera, summed up perfectionism and excellence in one short, simple quote: “Excellence is the highest level a man or a woman can reach. Perfection is God’s level He alone can reach.” Let us aim for excellence as we continue the year of 2017. Let us work with God, the author of perfection, as He transforms us more and more to be like Jesus, the perfect man.

Let us stop striving and getting stressed out trying to do things only God can do. Remember, you are fearfully and wonderfully made, purposed, favored and blessed with all the spiritual power to achieve all God has created you to do.

Always choose “On A Bright Side.” Happy New Year and may God pour out His overflowing blessings to us all and receive His perfection as we aim for excellence on this journey.

I love you readers with the love of the Lord, yet God loves you the most.

Smile and be a blessing… Rev. Nancy H. Abiera?