One of the lessons I’ve been relearning lately is this simple but stubborn truth: perfect is the enemy of good.
Sometimes we live and die trying to one‑up whatever we just did. We convince ourselves that if today’s effort doesn’t surpass yesterday’s, then we’ve somehow failed. That falling short of our own previous standard makes us less worthy. I know I’ve been guilty of that way of thinking more times than I’d like to admit.
That mindset can masquerade as excellence, but it often turns into exhaustion.
This isn’t about settling for second‑best as a rule. There’s nothing wrong with striving, refining, or improving. Scripture encourages us to work wholeheartedly and with purpose. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:23). Effort matters. Integrity matters.
But so does knowing when you’ve done your best with what you had in that moment.
There are times when the wisest thing we can say is, “I showed up. I gave what I had. And whether this wins or loses, that’s enough.” Not because we don’t care—but because we do, and we’re trusting God with the outcome instead of trying to control it ourselves.
Ecclesiastes reminds us that “there is a time for everything” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Sometimes the time is for pushing harder. Other times, the time is for releasing the result and letting “good” stand without apology.
Perfection demands more than we can give. Faith asks for faithfulness.
And more often than not, good—honest, wholehearted, imperfect good—is exactly enough.
Copyright © 2025 Doug DeBolt.
