Ever feel like you’re stuck in a cycle of “I know better, but I still mess up”? You’re not alone. Even the Apostle Paul wrestled with doing the very things he didn’t want to do. This devotional reminds us that the Christian walk isn’t about flawless performance—it’s about daily surrender and steady growth.

📖 “So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.”
– Romans 7:14-15 (NLT)

Key Reflections:

• You’re not alone in your struggle—Paul felt the exact same way.

• Being in Christ frees us from sin’s penalty, but not its presence.

• Perfection isn’t the goal—progress is.

• God’s grace isn’t an excuse to stay stuck, it’s the fuel to keep going.

• Each new day is a fresh opportunity to start again—His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).

💬 Join the Conversation:

What’s one area where you feel stuck right now? Instead of focusing on failure, write down one small step you can take today to grow in that area.

And remember: You’re not defined by one moment of weakness. You’re being refined by a lifetime of grace.

Let us know what “progress over perfection” looks like in your life today. Use the hashtag #LifeaudioNetwork to share your story.

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Full Transcript Below:

Progress Over Perfection

By: Laura Bailey 

“So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” Romans 7:14-15 NLT

Reluctantly, I stepped on the scale. I already knew the number would be higher than I’d hoped. Sighing, I shuffled towards the kitchen, poured my coffee, and scanned the pantry. Last week, I failed miserably at making good food choices. Does it matter what I choose now? Even if I make the right choice now, I will likely slip up later and have to start over again. 

A few weeks prior, my doctor suggested that I try a low-inflammation diet since I was experiencing a great deal of joint pain. If you aren’t familiar with this diet, it means avoiding sugar. And while I don’t have an overly sweet tooth, I enjoy ice cream after a long day, a bowl of cereal as a midnight snack, or a freshly baked pastry with my morning cup of Joe. For the most part, after the first few days, I found that it wasn’t challenging for me to avoid sugar, especially since my cravings were almost non-existent.

 It had been almost a month without anything sweet when I saw my daughter munching on my favorite candy. I thought, “It wouldn't hurt just to have one; you deserve it; you’ve done so well.” Reaching for the bag, I knew it wasn’t a good idea, yet I proceeded, and before I knew it, I’d polished off the remaining candy. I immediately felt physically and mentally sick. “ Why did I do that? Why didn’t I just stop after one? I am failing at so many things,” I chided myself.

If only the battle with sugar was the only one I fight regularly. 

I want to read my Bible more, so I set my alarm 30 minutes earlier every day. However, I more often than not hit the snooze button, choosing sleep over time with the Lord. 

I want to spend more quality time with my girls, but I gravitate towards unanswered emails and text messages, prioritizing things that could wait over them. 

I want to give more money to missions and be more generous, but I often buy things I don’t need because “it was on  sale.”

Yes, I struggle to do the things I do not want to do daily, yet I still do them! Have you ever felt that way? The Apostel Paul most certainly did. 

Paul shares in the letter to the Romans that he is frustrated that he continues doing the things he doesn’t want to do. Why does this keep happening? For those of Christ, we are freed from the penalty of sin but still live in the presence of sin. He openly shares his ongoing struggle with sin, the internal battle within him. The same battle that we all fight. 

Many believe that once they accept Christ, all their problems and struggles will disappear. The reality is that the battle has just begun. Later in Ephesians, Paul describes how we prepare for the spiritual battle that wages war against our hearts and minds by putting on the whole armor of God ( Ephesians 6: 13-17). We must suit up as we fight sin, but there will be times when we lose that battle. That’s where God’s grace and mercy meet us.

While we have the power of the Holy Spirit in us, we are still humans. Our fleshly desires, spiritual attacks, and longing for Godly obedience coexist. God’s grace is not a license to sin but a reminder of how much we need a savior. Our goal is not perfection but progress, looking more like Jesus today than yesterday. 

Back to my earlier story: I couldn’t erase the consequences of the last few days of poor care, but I did have an opportunity to hit the refresh button and start again. Today was new; therefore, my choice to do the right thing for my body mattered. The same for us as believers. God’s mercies are new every morning ( Lamentations 3:22-23). Let’s celebrate the good news of the Gospel; we aren’t just redeemed and restored for salvation, but every day. Amen

Intersecting Faith and Life:

Can you think of an area where you are experiencing a sin struggle?  Instead of feeling defeated, write down some goals and focus on your progress, not perfection.

For Further Reading:

Romans 7

Why Do I Do What I Hate?

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