I long ago learned to keep a tight leash on my perfectionism. If I didn’t, it would run circles around me and trip me. Scraped knees and elbows. Bruised shins. Never a pretty picture, and I should know as someone who’s had her fair share of knees and elbows meeting pavement.
Even though I learned the lesson long ago, it doesn’t negate the need for vigilance. Perfectionism is a sneaky enemy. It conceals itself with words like “excellence” and “one more edit.” Neither excellence or editing are wrong acts in and of themselves, but they can be usurped by perfectionism. I think I’m doing a good job, an excellent job, only to discover that perfectionism has crept into my life yet again. It reveals itself in my reaction to critique and my worry about a piece of writing or a project.
I’m caught in another loop of the leash, and the only way out is to unwind myself and take a firm hand. I tell my perfectionism “no” and get it to heel. It’s hard work; my entire right arm and leg ache with the effort. It’s necessary, though. It’s the only way to keep perfectionism in its place. It’s the only way to move into a life that is expansive and free rather than fraught with worry and fear.
I may not be able to leave perfectionism behind me, but I can counter it. I can make it sit and stay by bringing the truth to bear. I remember who I am in Christ, and that person is accepted not because she’s perfect but because of who God is. In Him, there is no fear or worry. His love casts out those things and sets me free from the perfectionism that tries to entangle me.
Image: Lee Nachtigal (Creative Commons)
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