How to Deal with Imperfection
How do you deal with life’s imperfections? That’s what I’ve been thinking about today. How do you live with flaws? Because life is not perfect. Every house I’ve ever lived in has had some sort of flaw. Every job I’ve ever had has some down sides. Every person I’ve met has some habits that leaves room for perfection. And, last but not least, I have way to many flaws myself. What to do then? How to deal with all these flaws?
It’d be great to have a perfect life. Your home would always be in pristine condition. There would be no sickness or arguments. You would never raise your voice. You’d always have adequate time to finish your tasks. Nobody’s quirky habits would drive you crazy. Then life would be just peachy, right? If only. But that’s not how things operate in this world. What to do then? How to deal with imperfection?
One way to deal with it is to try to isolate yourself from all imperfection. But, believe me, that does not work. There’s always new flaws lurking. The only way to deal with imperfection is God’s grace. It’s simple but it works. Time after time. How so? you ask. Let’s find out.
God is holy and he wants us to be holy. But we are sinful and flawed. Blessedly, Jesus died for our sins and we can now by God’s grace be made right with God. But that’s not all, God’s grace is also power in our lives.
We love because he first loved us. (1 john 4:19, NIV)
We can be gracious towards other people because God first was gracious towards us. We can’t love others. We can’t be gracious. We can’t accept imperfection. But God can. A quick prayer brings a new supply of grace to enable us to extend God’s love and grace to others. And to ourselves.
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. (Romans 15:7, NIV)
We are called to live in love and grace. That’s the way of life God wants for us. Sure, it’s not always easy but it always blesses us. The sooner we accept the fact that life is not perfect, the sooner we can learn to enjoy it, flaws and all. Life is not about perfection. Life is about living and sharing love and grace.
God’s grace works also in situations when we deal with broken down appliances, health issues or job situations. God’s help is only a prayer away. God’s grace empowers us to deal with situations that we could not do on our own. God gives us patience, love, and anything else we need to deal with our everyday stuff.
God is not an abstract notion or a theological thought. God is real. Jesus is a person. The Holy Spirit is always with us. Hence help is near. Do you accept it and learn to love your imperfect life? Or do you turn away and keep on cursing your life for its flaws? For me, the choice is easy. I choose God and his grace every morning. And life is beautiful, flaws included.
Gracious God,
Pour out grace upon grace!
Pour our as much grace as needed, Lord.
Show me how to deal with imperfection;
how to be always gracious and loving.
Teach me to love life as it is.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Q4U: How do you deal with imperfection?
Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you choose God and his grace every morning!
Photo courtesy of PicMonkey, design Mari-Anna Stålnacke. Linking up with Unite the Bloggersphereand#tellhisstory.