Why do we get mad at others when they mess up?  Why do we judge others with such strictness?  Do we really expect others to be perfect?

Probably the most frequent place anger rears its ugly head is in the family, especially in marriage.  Why did she say that?  Why didn’t he do that?  Why don’t they listen?  Even though we know that we are not perfect, and even though we know that no one else is perfect either, we still get angry at the imperfections of others.  By saying “imperfections”, I mostly am referring to moral imperfections; sin.

I think a large part of the answer is that because we are not perfect, nor anyone or anything around us, we long for perfection. That is, we desire to be in the perfect environment.  We yearn to have perfect relationships.  We pray for and work towards perfection in ourselves and in others.  Absolute perfection is our dream. 

In reality, we long for Heaven; we long for Christ!

Jesus is the only holy-conceived and completely sinless person who has ever walked this earth.  Not only was He perfect by the absence of sin, but He was perfect by the presence of righteousness.  And as Christians, we rest on and stand on and believe in the active and “passive” obedience/perfection of Jesus Christ.

So the next time we find ourselves getting angry at the imperfections of others and/or ourselves, let us turn that anger into a longing prayer for Jesus’ return and a trusting, joyful, and humble praise to Jesus for His perfection on our behalf.  Let our frustration with imperfection be the reminder that we are not Home yet and that Jesus is still saving us by His perfection.  Let our dissatisfaction with imperfection be the catalyst to our treasuring more deeply the satisfying perfection of Jesus and the unfading, unmatched inheritance we have because of Him. 

Angry at Imperfection, Awaiting Heaven, and Trusting in Christ!