Slightly Irregular

As your resident encourager, I’ve been given the task to gently relay some devastating news to you that you need to hear right now. “Guess what? You are not perfect.” Did you emotionally survive that unpleasant news flash, or were you already aware of it? I apologize for having to be so completely blunt and uncaring.

Romans 3:10 (NCV) agrees with me. “As the Scriptures say: There is no one who always does what is right, not even one.” Let me share with you what I have learned on the topic of perfection as an adult.

I tend to get most frustrated with others when they fail to meet the same high, unreachable standards I’ve placed on myself. (Proverbs 26:12, Ephesians 4:32, James 1:19-20, 4:11-12, Luke 6:31) Slightly irregular personalities in a business can be no problem as long as they don’t negatively affect the bottom financial line of the company (or changes are made).

Be honest, have you ever felt that you were superior to someone else, and talked about them behind their back? Ecclesiastes 7:21-22 (MSG) tells you exactly what should be done in this situation that indirectly involves the topic of perfectionism.

“Don’t eavesdrop on the conversation of others. What if the gossips about you, and you’d rather not hear it? You’ve done that a few times, haven’t you – said things behind someone’s back you wouldn’t say to his face?”

As for the most valuable marital advice, I feel it is found in Ephesians 4:26-27 (MSG). “Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry-but don’t use your anger as a fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.” How many troubled marriages could be positively transformed by this simple act on a regular basis?

Miley Cyrus (in the form of Hannah Montana) has got some wonderful musical advice for us all that are challenged with allowing ourselves grace. (Romans 12:7) Do these selected lyrics of Nobody’s Perfect apply to you?

Chorus
Nobody's Perfect!
I gotta work it!
Again and again 'til I get it right
Nobody's Perfect!
You live and you learn it!
Nobody's perfect

Next time you feel like it's just one of those days
when you just can't seem to win.
If things don't turn out the way you plan,
Figure something else out!
Don't stay down! Try again!