You Don't Have To Be Perfect

Illustrated By Chambers MD

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Often times we find ourselves in a place in-which we couldn’t visualize happening to us. Coming out of tough situation could seem to appear never heard of. We try to get a hold of our circumstances and look to see ourselves practically getting nowhere. Well this is the article for you to read. I have agreed to take a look at my personal life and share with you the reader one of my life experiences. Hopefully you can visualize yourself in this story as I take you on a personal journey.

I remember it like it was yesterday, because technically it was. I found myself down and out on life. Life had hit me hard, but it wasn’t by force. I had done all I could do to get me to where I was in that part of my life. My decisions were unclearly made and I couldn’t tell you if I was going or coming. My reactions happened on impulse instead of being well thought out. I made decisions without even compromising with the consequence. I found myself sinking in life without even doing anything to better it. I played the blame game on everyone except the right person who I should have been pointing the finger at the entire time. I was in denial, couldn’t get a grip on the truth.

The truth is, I was physically, mentally, and spiritually killing myself. Not knowing how far off I was from a change for the better. I simply didn’t want it, it was a lot easier just to feel self-pity and make excuses on why my life was how it was. I disliked others success because I felt I should have had it. I wanted the perks of being successful, but didn’t want to do the work to get me there. I was a real complainer behind closed doors. To see me back then, I didn’t converse with many because I didn’t know who to trust. I thought everyone who offered to help me was out to set me up or get me for what I knew at that moment. I ruined many important relationships because of this attitude and thought pattern. I had to learn to open up a little, but at that time I refused to be a willing vessel. I couldn’t see the potential that was on the inside of me because I covered it with disappointment, discouragement, hurt from others, misunderstandings, and all other negative things I’d allow to take control of me. I was a mess with a message, but yet I still couldn’t seem to get it for my own self.

Two years ago I found myself at the lowest point in life’s turns and trails. I didn’t see myself getting to the point where I would begin to losing everything. I lost my car, the roof over my head, friends, and a lot of other things that come with the territory. I had nowhere to turn but to God. I questioned God as we all do. I asked Him questions like, “Why Me”, “What did I do to deserve this”, “How long will I suffer”, and so many other questions we all ask. Now honesty I knew the answer, I just didn’t want to own up to my own selfishness. I couldn’t see the need to beating myself up because of my mistakes. The truth is, my mistakes turn into decisions. I did the same things over and over. So they were technically my choices made.

The Bible states in James Chapter 1 verses 2-4 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” This means we all will experience trying times. It’s our trails that make us who we are. How we endure is what makes the difference in our results. We can’t afford to give in and say I’m done or I quit. Quitting shuts down your greater reward. We must get to a place where we say enough is enough. Change our mindsets to wanting better than we have and go get it. Even if this means sacrificing everything we’re used to.

Change started with me, I realized who I was and what I could offer from my experiences. I visualized myself helping others by me sharing my disappointments. Sharing my pain became someone else’s healing process. My confusion gave someone else a clear understanding. Don’t look at where you are now, look at where God can take you if you truly let Him. You don’t have to be perfect, just seek His perfect love. Watch how much your life will turn around for the better. Sometimes we have to be willing to pick our own self up and pull it together. Let God have His way in your life. Find the God who gives you peace over any storm. And through Him all things become possible. 

Author: Armah O Dashiell