“OK God, I promise that I’ll try harder next time.”
As God truly began to minister Ephesians 2:8-9 in my life, He transformed my entire being. I no longer cared to fall into the lie of perfectionism.
This was a prayer that I found myself constantly praying each time I felt like I failed God on something.
Each time I would slip back into old sins, I always felt as though the world was crashing down on me because God was disappointed in how I’d handled the situation at hand.
So I prayed each time that I would be able to handle the situation better the next time. However, when the next time came, I would always end up back in the same position. It seemed that no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t effectively get rid of the old ways I was struggling to let go of.
I would cry, plea and even fall on my knees begging God to make me perfect. I wanted God to make me better so I wouldn’t have to keep facing the same issues.
One day when I was confiding in a friend, she said these words:
“God only wants you to try your best. That’s all. He’ll handle the rest.”
Woah. Those words hit me so hard.
I had always achieved the goals I set in my own life, and I expected that my walk with God would be the same. But God doesn’t work that way nor does He expect that we’ll always dot every i or cross every t. He wants us to rest in His grace.
As this revelation began to sink deeper into my heart, God began to reveal to me that I had fallen into the lie of perfectionism. I had always believed that if I wasn’t perfect, I wasn’t worthy. But God began to show me different.
He revealed that my works will never meet his standard and that only His perfect love displayed through Jesus’ sacrifice would completely cover me. All I had to do was to trust in Him, and He’d do the rest.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV
As God truly began to minister Ephesians 2:8-9 in my life, He transformed my entire being. I no longer cared to fall into the lie of perfectionism.
All In want nowadays is to try my best each day. Why? Because my best is what God is pleased with.
The deeper understanding of grace also changed my relationships with other people. Gone are the days that I see the shortcomings of my neighbours and judge them. Now I aspire to help them overcome the issues that they are facing, leading in love not judgement.
Grace truly transformed me. I am now embracing my grace filled life- soaking it up each chance I get!
I’d like to end by encouraging you to give God’s grace a try, it’s the best thing I ever did, and He won’t let you down, that’s a promise.
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Mary A Graham-Foulks
Sep 14, 2022
Thank you for sharing this testimony and motivation to remind me that doing my best is all He wants. Perfectionism can be deadly to our walk. I can definitely relate to you. Thanks again.
Jackie george
Sep 12, 2022
Love love love!! Continue to stay on the path of God!!
Jackie george
Sep 12, 2022
Love love love!! Continue to stay on the path of God!!
Iola Madows
Sep 12, 2022
Thank you Lay Lay for your encouraging words. Continue to allow God to use you for His glory.