I'm a recovering perfectionist who is a high achiever, very detail-oriented, enjoys planning, and likes to control the outcome of most circumstances. As I continue to grow in wisdom and mature in Christ, God reminds me that I'm not perfect and that I should cease continually striving for perfection. When mistakes happen or plans change, it doesn’t mean something is wrong with me; it just means unexpected things will happen that are completely out of my control. Similarly, many of us are perfectionists and are our harshest critics when things don’t go according to our plans. Isaiah 55:8 states, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. While we often desire for our plans to run smoothly without delay, God operates on a different timetable. We must continue to be flexible and surrender our perfectionism at Jesus’ feet.
Ultimately, God is sovereign and trustworthy and will lead our lives in the right direction as we trust God’s Word and divine timing. As humans, we will make mistakes and all have shortcomings. At the root of perfectionism is our need to be in control, have everything figured out, and not drop the ball. Keeping up a facade of perfectionism leaves us exhausted, anxious, and rarely content. Having an unrealistic expectation of perfectionism creates unwanted pressure and anxiety and often prevents us from fully enjoying the abundant life God promises us. We can have the best-made plans, timetables, and ideas, but they still fail, and life disrupts them. If you want help to overcome perfectionism, surrender, and release control back to God, here are ten verses to encourage you:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us that God has amazing, abundant plans for us and that our futures are full of hope. We don’t have to strive for perfection because God assures us that God has our best interests at heart and will lead us to accomplish God’s purposes in God’s timing. Our perfect plans will falter because we are finite humans, but God is sovereign, and God’s Spirit and wisdom transform us. We can place our hope in God’s Word, plans, and direction for our lives. When we surrender to God’s prosperous plans for our lives, we can let go of control and exchange perfectionism for God’s peace. Today, be encouraged that God’s plans for you are to prosper and not harm you, and perfectionism is not a prerequisite to accomplish God’s plans.
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Another scripture to help overcome perfectionism is Philippians 4:13, which reminds us that we don’t have to do everything on our own. Our strength comes from God, and that reminder helps us to alleviate the ongoing anxiety, stress, and perfectionism that we have. We are partnering with God rather than striving to make things happen on our own. Our strength comes from God, not from our perpetual productivity. Rely on God’s strength to support, sustain, and stabilize you.
“But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
Often, when we strive for perfection, we want to “fix” everything in our lives and lose sight of God’s unmerited grace. God’s grace is a gift to believers. It isn’t dependent on anything we do. 2 Corinthians 12:9 assures us that our weaknesses are opportunities to depend on God more and receive God’s power. We don’t have to condemn ourselves, but receive God’s new grace and mercy to start again. We can rely on God’s strength and spirit to guide, lead, and settle us. God’s grace already goes before us and is sufficient when we fall short.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Trusting God with all our hearts increases our confidence in Him and helps us not to carry all our burdens alone. Instead of trying to fix everything on our own and putting extra pressure on ourselves to achieve the perfect outcome, we can turn to the One who has all power, authority, and wisdom. When challenges arise, we can be confident that God will cover our circumstances and calm our weary souls. Trusting in God turns our attention from ourselves and allows us to rely more on God’s Word, character, and unwavering faithfulness. We can trust in God, not our own understanding, because God’s track record is faithful.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
An underlying root cause of perfectionism is pride and our inability to ask for help or acknowledge that we don’t have it all together. 1 Peter 5:6-7 reminds us that God wants us to be humble and to cast all our cares fully to God, because God cares for us and can handle it all. We can rest assured that we are safe and covered in God’s care because God abundantly loves and cares for us. Our plans are safe in the Master’s hands. We can surrender our endless pursuits for perfection to the One who will lead us with love, wisdom, and purpose. Surrendering perfectionism and embodying humility will help us depend on and grow closer to God, thereby lessening our anxieties.
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
When our timelines are disrupted or don't go according to plan, it’s easy to become discouraged and believe that God has forgotten about us. Philippians 1:6 reassures us that God’s plans will prevail and that God will continue to use us to accomplish God’s plans in our lives. Perfectionism places our confidence in our individual abilities, but this scripture reminds us that our confidence rests in God.
7. John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
We don’t need to strive for perfection or stress ourselves out, because Jesus paid the price for us so we can live in complete victory. As believers in Christ, our sins are already forgiven, and no level of striving can separate us from Jesus’ love. Striving for a continual cycle of perfection keeps us bound and continually wanting more. When we celebrate that Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead to forgive our sins, we can live in freedom. Despite our sins, shortcomings, and imperfections, Jesus paid the ultimate price because he loves us unconditionally.
“You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.”
Striving for perfection often focuses on how much we can get done, and our worth is equated more to productivity. Galatians 5:4 reminds us that our works do not justify us; it is by Christ and God’s infinite grace. We can be at peace knowing that we don’t have to work harder or be perfect to receive God’s love. God loves us just as we are, and we don’t have to hustle or strive harder to experience and receive it.
9. Hebrews 12:2
“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
When we fix our eyes on Jesus rather than our performance, we can have continual joy and hope as we navigate life. Keeping our eyes on Jesus minimizes our distractions and renews our minds and perspectives. Jesus doesn’t want perfection but wants us to draw closer and spend more time in his presence.
10. Isaiah 61:10
“I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”
To help overcome perfectionism, I invite you to continue delighting in the Lord, rejoicing and singing praises to God, and continually surrendering perfectionism to God. Be encouraged to know that when mistakes and life happen, embrace the invitation to draw closer to God and depend on Him. Perfection isn’t possible, but allow God’s presence and grace to restore, revive, and renew your spirit.
Photo credit: Unsplash/Kelly Sikkema
