{"id":15227,"date":"2026-08-25T03:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.honestreflections.net\/?p=15227"},"modified":"2026-06-25T09:18:05","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T14:18:05","slug":"releasing-perfectionism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.honestreflections.net\/index.php\/2026\/08\/25\/releasing-perfectionism\/","title":{"rendered":"Releasing Perfectionism"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Two-minute read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Recently, we purchased a used Prius from a small dealership. When we walked in to get the keys, the older gentleman in the corner, not seeing us, said, \u201cPride, huh? That\u2019s one I never heard before.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we left, I told Ron, \u201cThey\u2019re talking about sin.\u201d Focused on the car, he hadn\u2019t even noticed. When I asked about the topic of their conversation, I learned that it centered on what caused the Roman Empire to fall. In the manager\u2019s opinion, pride caused it. From his studies, he had concluded that at the root of all sin lies pride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul addresses his pride in his second letter to the Corinthians. Because he had received extraordinary revelations from God, he could easily fall prey to pride. But Paul had a thorn in his flesh, though we don\u2019t know for sure what kind. We do know that Paul asked the Lord to remove the thorn three times, and God responded, \u201cMy grace is sufficient for you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of removing the thorn, the Lord gave Paul something greater: the assurance of sustaining grace. God sometimes answers our prayers not by changing our circumstances, but by strengthening us within them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When my nephew died, I discovered God\u2019s sustaining grace. As each day passed without him, the Lord showed up in a myriad of ways. Through friends, our church, counseling, my broken heart began to heal. Grief evolves, and we learn to live with it. Life never returns to the old normal; instead, a new normal begins to develop. One in which the Lord strengthened me and helped me persevere. Knowing that Cody lives in heaven with the Savior and that we\u2019ll one day meet again gives me the hope I need. Trusting God with my pain and accepting His grace gives me strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Creator gives us grace sufficient for every season. In suffering, we will discover the Lord\u2019s provision. When we experience disappointment and uncertainty, God will help us persevere. In our weakness, He becomes our strength as we faithfully serve and follow Him. The Lord\u2019s grace never gets depleted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the world celebrates self-sufficiency and strength, God\u2019s kingdom works oppositely. Recognizing our limitations allows us to become more dependent on the Lord. Our weakness allows the Savior to display His power. God accomplishes His purpose through people who rely on Him rather than on their own abilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Journal Questions:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n