Flaws, Imperfections, Mistakes: Are they really all bad?

Sometimes our flaws, imperfections and mistakes can be a trigger for insecurity.  I kind of bundled these in with “appearances and imperfections” as one of the 9 Common Causes of Insecurity.  Throughout the bible we see character after character that appeared flawed or unusable.  For example, Moses felt that he had an imperfection that would hinder him from doing what God wanted.

“But Moses pleaded with the lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” Exodus 4:10 (NLT)

If I’ve learned one thing though, it’s that God uses the unlikely.  This gives me hope…That even through all my flaws, imperfections and mistakes (both internal and external), God can and WILL still use me. 

“[No] for God selected (deliberately chose) what in the world is foolish to put the wise to shame, and what the world calls weak to put the strong to shame.  And God also selected (deliberately chose) what in the world is lowborn and insignificant and branded and treated with contempt, even the things that are nothing, that He might depose and bring to nothing the things that are” 1 Corinthians 1:27-28 (AMP)

Jesus, himself, was unlikely…a baby, from Nazareth (considered a lowly town in Galilee), born in a manger (feeding trough) in a stable, and born of lowly parents.  This is not at all how most would expect the King of Kings and Savior of the world to come—unlikely.  Jesus’ blood line was also unlikely…including a liar/cheater (Jacob), an ugly/unwanted/unloved woman (Leah), a betrayer (Judah), a woman who acted like a prostitute and slept with her father-in-law (Tamar), a prostitute (Rahab), a murderer and adulterer (David), a polygamist and sex-addict (Solomon), and many kings who turned away from God.  Basically, Jesus descended from some pretty flawed and shady characters!

I love this song by 4Him: “Strange Way to Save the World”

If God saved the world in such an unlikely way, why couldn’t and wouldn’t He use other unlikely people to accomplish good and great things?  In fact, I happen to believe God LOVES using the unlikely because then it just points to Him all the more.  God loves to do things that make people say, “Only God could have done that.”

Only God…

• Could use a baby to save the world (Jesus)
• Could turn the heart of an adulterer and murder into a man called “a man after God’s own heart” (David)
• Could use one of His greatest enemies to become one of His greatest followers who in turn wrote most of the New Testament and played a major role in the history of Christianity (Paul)
• Could take some someone with anger-management issues and a speech impediment and enable him to lead a whole nation out of bondage (Moses)
• Could take two infertile and REALLY old people and create from them the largest family ever known (Abraham and Sarah)
• Could take a wimp and turn him into a mighty warrior (Gideon)
• Could use someone who completely disobeys Him and runs from him to save a whole city (Jonah)
• Could use an eccentric man who eats bugs, wears camel fur and preaches in the wilderness to minister to and baptize countless people including His own son (John the Baptist)
• Could use a marriage that was damaged and broken by adultery as an example of His relationship with us when we betray him and show that restoration is still possible  (Hosea and Gomer)
• Could use a wishy-washy, mouthy, hot-head to become one of the greatest missionaries for the cause of Christ (Peter)
• Could take someone who is young, insecure, without a degree in education and without any formal training in theology and who also completely swore off teaching and ministry of any kind and use her to do almost everything she claimed she would never do—including teach and share about God, amongst many other things! (Tracy Robbins 🙂 )

Sometimes your perceived imperfections are what makes you special.  Take Cindy Crawford or Marilyn Monroe for example.  They have facial moles (aka: beauty marks) that most people would consider an imperfection or a flaw.  However, it has become one of their distinguishing characteristics.

Rick Warren wrote a great short devotional on the same topic: “Even Your Flaws Can Bring Glory to God”

Take some practical steps and keep these things in mind:

You need to remember that you are complete and have sufficiency in Christ (even in your weaknesses and flaws).

• “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV)
• Look at this verse again with “flaws” substituted for “weakness”: “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in flaws.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my flaws, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in flaws, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am flawed, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV)

You have complete and full ability with Christ (even with flaws!).

• “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
• “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27 (ESV)
• “Not that we are fit (qualified and sufficient in ability) of ourselves to form personal judgments or to claim or count anything as coming from us, but our power and ability and sufficiency are from God.” 2 Corinthians 3:5 (AMP)
• “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:4-5 (ESV)

Think of flaws as a POSITIVE thing.

• Try to think of your flaws as something that might even make you more unique and more valuable.  For example, think of flawed coins or currency that are worth significantly more just BECAUSE they are flawed.
• Flaws give character—think “vintage” finds.  Often fixing or restoring vintage items with flaws causes them to lose their value.
• Be empowered by the knowledge that your flaws may very well be what God decides to use in you.  Your flaws might actually be what makes you special.  Your flaws may enable you to relate better to other people and make a greater difference in this world.
• Try to get excited about your flaws or weaknesses because that place is an area where God, Himself can step in and fill the gap.  God’s power is made perfect in our weaknesses and flaws!  So when we appear to be weak and insufficient, we are actually stronger than we can ever imagine!

You’re never too screwed up for God to use you!

Pray:  When you have a flaw, imperfection or have made a mistake, stop right then and ask God to help you and/or use it.  Pray “God, I know I’m not perfect, but You are.  You can take any of my flaws, imperfections and mistakes and turn them around for good.  I ask you right now to help me with _____.  Please take _____ and cause it to work for good.”

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28 (NLT)

Say:  “I am special. I am unique.  I have a purpose.  God can even use my flaws, imperfections and mistakes for good.  He can turn anything around to work for good!”

What flaws or imperfections have held you back?  What are some things that you can do to see your flaws differently?  Leave a comment below (or click on the post link to join the conversation if you’re viewing through e-mail). 

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P.S.S.  If you have benefited from this post or if you know anyone that could benefit from this, please pay it forward and share this post with them via the sharing links below! “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)