Real, Not Perfect — November 17, 2025

Scripture:

“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” - 2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Devotional:

Sometimes we beat ourselves up over the moments we fall short, forgetting that God never called us to be perfect. He called us to be real. Real in repentance. Real in surrender. Real in our walk. Real in our struggle. Real in our desire to grow.

God isn’t fooled by appearances, and He isn’t moved by performances. He sees the weight you carry, the battles you fight behind closed doors, the moments when life feels overwhelming, and the times when you’re trying to stay faithful while everything in you feels tired.

He sees the frustration between “I’m believing” and “I’m still waiting.”

He sees the tension between “I trust You” and “Lord, I’m hurting.”

He sees the places where you want to do better, give better, live better, but life keeps pressing you in every direction.

And yet, He still calls you His.

You haven’t missed your miracle. You haven’t disqualified yourself.

You haven’t ruined what God plans to redeem.

God specializes in stepping into the places where you feel weak, stretched, and empty. His Word says, “My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Not perfection, weakness.

This could still be your week of miracles.

This could still be your moment of release.

This could still be the day God turns the page.

Because God doesn’t need everything around you to be perfect for Him to move. He just needs your heart to stay soft, surrendered, and willing.

You’re not failing, you’re fighting.

You’re not slipping, you’re surviving.

You’re not forgotten, you’re being carried.

And God is still getting ready to do something BIG.

Not because you’ve been flawless, but because He is faithful.

REFLECTION/CHALLENGE:

Where have you been holding yourself to a standard God never set?

What can you release today? The guilt, pressure, shame, fear so that God’s grace can breathe in that space?

Prayer:
Father God, in the Name of Jesus,
Thank You for another day. Thank You for waking me up this morning, starting me on my way, clothing me in my right mind, and allowing me to see the dawn of a brand new day.

Lord, I ask You to forgive me for all my sins and shortcomings, and I receive Your forgiveness in my heart. Create in me, O Lord, a clean heart. Purify my thoughts, and cast down every vain imagination and every high thing that tries to exalt itself against the knowledge of You, O God.

Thank You for Your Grace that meets me right where I am. Thank You for loving me beyond my flaws and strengthening me beyond my weakness. Help me to stop striving for perfection and start resting in Your presence. Teach me to release the pressure, surrender the weight, and trust Your timing even when life feels overwhelming. Remind me that Your strength works best when mine runs out. Today, help me to walk in Grace, not guilt; in surrender, not stress; in trust, not fear. I give You everything I’ve been carrying, and I receive Your peace in return. In Jesus Name I Pray, Thank God, Amen.

Declaration:

I am not perfect, I am covered.

I am not failing, I am growing.

God’s grace is enough for me.

And this will still be my week of miracles.