So many people struggle with feelings of inadequicy or self-doubt. Many wonder why we have to go through great personal struggles in this life. We are here on earth to learn, grow, and hone the attributes that we naturally have as children of God. Our Heavenly Father knew that we would need some help along the way to be able to do that, so he gave us an example to follow. That example is Jesus Christ. As we follow his life and teachings, we are able to become more and more like God, because that is who Christ exemplafied.
When we read the scriptures, we are told several times to "be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." (Mark 5:48). I have known so many people, including myself, who see that as a commandment to be exactly right in everything every single time. After trying to do that, you quickly become discouraged and disapointed in yourself when you make mistakes. Our expectations we've placed on ourselves is unrealistic, because we are looking at the commandment to be perfect the way the world looks at perfection.
In the world, perfection is a constant push. Perfect hair, perfect bodies, perfect language, perfect everything. Nothing out of place. The world tries to say that if everything about us isn't just so, then we aren't good enough. In an article written for the July 2014 Ensign, we read that,
"The word perfection, however, is sometimes misunderstood to mean never making a mistake. Perhaps you or someone you know is trying hard to be perfect in this way. Because such perfection always seems out of reach, even our best efforts can leave us anxious, discouraged, or exhausted. We unsuccessfully try to control our circumstances and the people around us. We fret over weaknesses and mistakes. In fact, the harder we try, the further we may feel from the perfection we seek."
This is exactly how Satan, the father of all lies wants us to feel. The more anxious we become about something, the harder it is to listen to the gentle whisperings of the Holy Ghost. We can't listen to the Holy Ghost testify to us of the Savior's love when we allow ourselves to become consumed in our imperfections. Satan wants us to forget our divine potential by reminding us of our shortcomings. Those thoughts and feelings do not come from our Heavenly Father! From the same article, we learn that,
"Fully accepting our Savior’s Atonement can increase our faith and give us courage to let go of constraining expectations that we are somehow required to be or to make things perfect. Black-and-white thinking says everything is either absolutely perfect or hopelessly flawed. But we can gratefully accept, as God’s sons and daughters, that we are His greatest handiwork, even though we are still a work in progress. As we understand our Savior’s freely given atoning love, we cease fearing that He may be a harsh, faultfinding judge. Instead, we feel assurance, “for God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved”. And we understand that time and process are needed for growth"
In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Moroni speaks powerfully of imperfections, and why we have them in this life.
"Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my father, because of his imperfection, neither them who have written before him; but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been."
(Mormon 9: 41, pg. 487)
We should not judge or put down others because they aren't "perfect", and we certainly should not do the same thing to ourselves. In this life, we are given weaknesses so that we can learn and become stronger. All these things work for our good in one way or another, when we allow it to. As we sincerly desire in our hearts to follow the Savior, do all we can to show that desire, and measure our success by that desire, we will be freed from the bonds that worldly perfections create within us. We will be happier and healthier as we relieve ourselves of that stress. I testify that God loves you just the way you are, flaws and all. All He asks is that we follow Him to the best of our ability to become a better version of ourselves. Let us all have more patience with ourselves, and learn to "recognize that being busy is not the same as being worthy, and being worthy does not require perfection."
