Finding Peace in Imperfection
Read the full Liahona article.
None of us is perfect. And none of us will be for a very long time. So, if imperfection is our lot in life, what can we do to find peace on the long path to perfection? The following ideas can help.
1. Be positive.
Our thoughts about ourselves significantly influence our behaviors and feelings. Many of us say things to ourselves that we would never say to another person. This, in turn, holds us back from our true potential and diminishes our abilities and talents.
2. Accept imperfections as opportunities.
God doesn’t want us to be discouraged by imperfection. If we accept that we are flawed children of God who are learning as we go, we can accept our imperfections. Expecting immediate perfection would mean denying us the opportunity for growth. We would be denying the gift of repentance and the power of Jesus Christ and His Atonement in our lives.
3. Be humbled, not belittled.
Turning to our Heavenly Father in imperfection requires humility. But there is a difference between being humbled and feeling of little worth or value. God does not want us to denigrate ourselves and feel that we have little worth in His eyes. It’s important to recognize that we are worth the time and effort it takes to change.
4. Choose happiness.
In the midst of becoming better, we can choose peace and happiness now. We may not be able to change the circumstances in our lives, but we can choose how we react to them.