How To Find Joy In Your Imperfections

I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. PHILIPPIANS 3:12-17 NLT

Happiness is not about perfection, it’s about direction

But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. MATTHEW 11:48 NLT
Perfection is fantasy and fantasy robs us of the joy of reality.
Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest. ECCLESIASTES 11:4 NLT

Embracing my imperfections will help my change direction

People who are not real, never heal

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. PHILIPPIANS 3:12-17 NLT

Our past hurts imprison our present happiness

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
forever in the next.
Amen.
-The Serenity Prayer, Reinhold Niebuhr

Life does not have to be even close to perfect for me to be truly happy

My imperfections make Jesus perfect for me

Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” MATTHEW 9:13 NLT
There is no joy in the pursuit of perfection, joy is found in the pursuit of Jesus
And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. HEBREWS 12:1-2 NLT

Prayer Guide

God I know that I am not even close to perfect. I believe that Jesus is, and that his death has paid the penalty for my sin, and his work can make me relationally right with you. I am ready to change my life. I invite your powerful spirit to be with me forever. To change me and to help me begin the process of healing relationally with myself and others and to build a real relationship with you. I pray this in Jesus’ name, the author and perfector of my faith!

Community Group Discussion Guide

  1. How can the pursuit of perfection rob you of your joy?
  2. How has the pursuit of perfection affected your relationships?
  3. How does understanding that even Paul didn’t see himself as perfect, help you when you fail?
  4. How can your imperfections lead you to a deeper joy in your relationship with Jesus?
  5. How do you strive to do the best you can without falling into the temptation of thinking we can be perfect?
  6. How can the serenity prayer help you to experience more happiness in your life?

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a place where you can be alone with God. Take a few deep breaths and release them slowly. Spend a moment to reflect and ask yourself if there are places in your life where you are trying to be perfect. Ask God to reveal to you if there are imperfections in these places that you are trying to cover up. Now ask God if there is a way that he would like to connect with you in these places and make up the space for your imperfection. Consider sharing what you learn with a trusted friend or your small group this week.

My Notes