Do you agree with the idea that perfectionism is a disease? As I’ve been getting into the “blogosphere” more (to steal a term from @tendogy), I’ve heard that idea from several different places. No one seems to argue with it, and I can’t either. Only – what of the saying, “If you aim for perfection, you might achieve greatness” that was on a poster on my wall as a teenager?

I grew up with a perfectionist mother, by her own admission. A lot of that rubbed off on me, in my childhood. So much so that I almost thought I was OCD for a while. My husband’s favorite example is how my mom and I put sugar in our tea and coffee. He says that we could carry a spoonful of sugar across the room without spilling a grain. I don’t like to make messes, and I don’t  like to make mistakes. When I was younger, things always had to be “just so,” from where my mom wore her watch to how tight my shoes were (I conquered this by just not tying my shoes anymore), and I still struggle with accepting imperfections.

It really is a disease in some ways. Perfectionism made my education very hard. Where others were doing as much as they could in an evening, I was struggling all night to make a project or paper perfect, using time I didn’t have, and was still never satisfied. In fact, in some cases, it was a struggle just to get started because I knew how imperfect the product would be. If I couldn’t do it right, I didn’t want to even try! Perfectionism would stop me from posting any blogs at all, if I let it. And my poor husband has to put up with me trying to remember that messes are okay, and mistakes do happen.

But there’s value in the idea of aiming for perfection even if you can’t achieve it. Sometimes, we can hit our mark when we aim, but at the very least, we’ll be closer than if we aimed elsewhere. If I aim for my glass when pouring a drink, I’m pretty likely to hit the mark. But I don’t aim for the edge of my glass usually, because if I miss my mark, it may go outside the glass. I aim for the center. And if my aim in life is only to be good enough, I may miss the mark and end up not-quite-good-enough. If I aim for perfection, I think I have a much better chance of reaching good or even great. Better to fall short of perfection than to fall short of good.

As in most cases, the secret is in the balance. I want it, but I can’t be disappointed or disillusioned when I’m less than perfect.

If you’re going to be a perfectionist, I think You have to master the art of forgiveness, as well. Forgiving others for imperfections as well as forgiving yourself. We know, and remember, that no man is perfect. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that even Jesus Christ wasn’t perfect. Don’t stone me! I don’t mean he wasn’t sinless – that is certain – but I find it doubtful that he was perfect in the way some of us want to be perfect. Never making a mess or misspeaking?

Only God, the great I Am, is perfect. That’s all I have to say for now, but continue reading and see what the Bible says about perfection, if you want! Feel free to comment with your thoughts on the issue of perfectionism.

Deuteronomy 32:3-5 (New International Version)

I will proclaim the name of the LORD.
       Oh, praise the greatness of our God!
He is the Rock, his works are perfect,
       and all his ways are just.
       A faithful God who does no wrong,
       upright and just is he.
They have acted corruptly toward him;
       to their shame they are no longer his children,
       but a warped and crooked generation.

2 Samuel 22:31-32 (New International Version)

As for God, his way is perfect;
       the word of the LORD is flawless.
       He is a shield
       for all who take refuge in him.
For who is God besides the LORD ?
       And who is the Rock except our God?

Psalm 18:30-31 (New International Version)

As for God, his way is perfect;
       the word of the LORD is flawless.
       He is a shield
       for all who take refuge in him.
For who is God besides the LORD ?
       And who is the Rock except our God?

Psalm 50:1-3 (New International Version)

The Mighty One, God, the LORD,
       speaks and summons the earth
       from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets. 
From Zion, perfect in beauty,
       God shines forth.
Our God comes and will not be silent;
       a fire devours before him,
       and around him a tempest rages.

Romans 12:1-2 (New International Version)

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy,
      to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing
      to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,
      but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
      Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will
      is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.