Today's Encouragement

When All You See Are Flaws

KariAnne Wood

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14 (NIV)

Have you ever noticed that perfection is everywhere? With every click of the mouse. With every glance at social media. With every turn of a magazine page. Everywhere you look, there it is.

Absolute, complete perfection.


It’s overwhelming, exhausting and seemingly insurmountable. It can make you feel small. It can make you feel “less than.” It can make you doubt yourself and wonder, Will I ever be good enough?

I understand imperfection all too well. As a decorator, I paint rooms, find accessories, pick out pillows, design spaces and make sure every kitchen has a triangle.

Recently, I decided my downstairs bathroom needed a refresh for the new year. Looking at the bathroom with critical eyes, I started to sketch the design. It was going to be incredible, and I couldn’t wait to get started.

But instead of sketching, my pencil simply hovered over the paper in midair. Inspiration eluded me — I couldn’t come up with a plan for the space. My mind was drawing a blank. Instead, I was stumbling over the flaws in the space.

They were everywhere.

I saw cracks in the tile, chips in the flooring, walls that needed painting, outdated fixtures and a crooked light. The drawer hardware was rusted, the towel bar off-center, and the chair needed to be recovered.

It was overwhelming.

Just like that bathroom, I sometimes look in the mirror and am reminded of all my flaws. No matter how much I try to ignore the flaws or tell myself I’m amazing, self-doubt creeps in, and once again the quest for perfection steals my joy.

It’s in these moments that I try to remember that my idea of perfection is not the same as God’s. When I’m struggling, I go back to what Scripture says, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:14).

As I recite this Scripture, it soothes my soul. If King David, who was far from perfect, had to remind himself that God’s works are wonderful, why do I believe I should be exempt from doing the same?

Truth?

I am a lot like that bathroom. I’m imperfect. I have flaws. I have chips and dings and tiny wrinkles at the corners of my eyes. I laugh too much. I talk with my hands, giggle when I should be listening, and I keep trying to make stirrup pants a thing again.

Truth?

There is such beauty in that imperfection. I was created by an incredible, awe-inspiring Creator who designed me just as I am. I have worth. I have value. I am loved. I am a daughter of the King of kings.

Truth?

Perfection is overrated. It’s a joy stealer, an illusion. Sometimes we get so busy focusing on the flaws — the crooked light fixtures and the wrinkles — that we miss the incredible creation that is already there.

The wonderous creature that God created.

The joy, the wonder and the beauty that was there all along.