Faith Over Perfection: Letting Go of the Outcome in Creative Work

As creatives, we've all been there — staring at something we poured hours into, ready to scrap it because it just doesn’t feel right. I can’t tell you how many canvases I’ve painted over, frustrated by the tiniest details. Especially if you’ve ever worked with oil paint… you know the pain is real.

I’ll admit it — I’m a perfectionist. Or rather, a recovering perfectionist.

Over time, I’ve learned to let myself make the mistakes. To start over. To paint over. To not be afraid of getting it wrong. Because if you don’t make mistakes, how will you ever truly grow?

Perfectionism can be paralyzing. So many of us get stuck in a cycle of waiting until something feels perfect — whether it's a painting, a project, or even a prayer. But if we keep waiting for perfect, we’ll sit idle forever.

Here's what helped shift my mindset: We weren’t created to be perfect — we were created to be good.

In Genesis 1:31, it says, “God saw all that He had made, and it was very good.”
Not perfect. Very good. And that included us.

Later, when Jesus came, He was perfect — the only one who could be. He lived a sinless life and willingly gave Himself for our flaws and failures. When I keep that truth in front of me, I realize I don’t have to strive for perfection in my creative work — because that pressure, that burden of perfection, isn’t mine to carry.

And here’s the wild thing: the flaws I see in my work? Most people never notice. The shading I think is off, or the proportion that bugs me — someone else looks at that same piece and sees something beautiful, inspiring, or even healing. Why? Because they’re not judging it with the same critical eye that created it. They're seeing it through wonder, not worry.

The world constantly trains us to find fault — in our work, in ourselves, in our worth. Add social media to the mix, and it’s a comparison trap waiting to happen. But we’re not called to chase approval. We’re called to bear fruit.

And how can we be fruitful if perfectionism is keeping us from ever planting the seed?

This is your reminder:
You are a child of God.
He has called you, gifted you, and prepared you for the work He’s placed before you.

So just start.
Make the mistakes.
Let it be messy.
Let it be real.

That thing that feels scary or imperfect might be the very thing that unlocks someone else’s healing — or even your own.

If it’s good, it’s from God.
And He only gives good gifts to His children.
So don’t hide yours.
Walk boldly in who He’s called you to be.