I used to think walking wisely meant walking perfectly with no wrong steps and no regrets, just an uninterrupted path of progress. I really believed that if I could just get everything in order, I’d finally be free. If I’m honest, that way of living didn’t make me wise. It made me tired, afraid, and stuck.
That’s the tricky thing about perfectionism. It pretends to be helpful. It whispers, “You’re just trying to do your best,” while quietly stealing joy, momentum, and peace. Somewhere along the way, I started equating wisdom with flawlessness until God began to show me, step by shaky step, that wise living isn’t about never messing up. It’s about walking anyway, even when you’re unsure. It’s about surrender, not striving.
“Therefore consider carefully how you live…”
Ephesians 5:15-16 says, “Therefore consider carefully how you live – not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity because the days are evil.”
There’s so much weight in these verses, but it is not the kind that crushes you. It’s not a pressure to perform. It’s a call to be present. Paul’s not telling us to live perfectly. He’s telling us to live carefully, wisely, and intentionally.
And that distinction matters.
Wise living isn’t tight-fisted control. It’s not obsessing over the right thing to say or do every second of the day. Wisdom is about walking in step with the Spirit, letting God’s perspective shape our choices, and making the most of the moments we’re given. This is not because we’re trying to get it all right. Instead, we know we’re living in desperate times.
“Taking advantage of every opportunity…”
I talked to my therapist recently about how my perfectionism shows up. I want to get better at something, but I also want to get better at it perfectly. In these moments, I feel as if I should be able to name the lie, replace it with truth, and move on with complete confidence in one try.
Spoiler alert: that’s not how it works.
We talked about how perfectionism keeps us from even trying. It tells us if we can’t do it just right, we shouldn’t do it at all. And that way of thinking has kept me from showing up for people, stepping into opportunities, and even praying sometimes because I felt like I wasn’t “ready.”
But when Paul says to “[take] advantage of every opportunity,” he isn’t talking to a church full of polished people with color-coded planners and zero anxiety. He’s talking to real believers in a broken world. People just like us. And he’s saying don’t wait to feel perfect. Walk wisely anyway.
What does walking wisely actually look like?
Paul doesn’t leave us guessing. In the rest of Ephesians 5:15–21, he gives us a picture of Spirit-filled wisdom that’s marked not by rigid perfection but by joy, gratitude, and humility.
- Be filled by the Spirit – not trying harder but surrendering more
- Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs – worship that overflows from the heart, even when life is heavy
- Give thanks for all things – not because everything is easy, but because God is still good
- Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ – living with a posture of grace toward others rather than dominance or pride
There’s no hint of perfectionism in this passage, only freedom, presence, and purpose.
What I’m learning
So here’s where I am right now. I’m still in process. I still feel the pull of perfectionism. I still have moments where I want to get it all right the first time. But I’m learning to name that pressure, take a breath, and walk forward anyway.
I’m learning that walking wisely might mean
- Showing up late but showing up with love
- Speaking gently, even when my words aren’t eloquent
- Praying messy prayers
- Saying yes when I want to overthink
- Trusting that God cares more about faithfulness than flawlessness
And that’s freeing.
Walking wisely doesn’t mean being the perfect mom, wife, friend, or leader. It means being present with God and others, led by the Spirit, and willing to say yes to today, even if it’s a little wobbly.
One Last Thought
Paul doesn’t say “walk perfectly.” He says “walk wisely.” And that’s good news for recovering perfectionists like me.
So today, whether you’re battling the voice of perfectionism, navigating decisions that feel heavy, or just trying to stay awake to what God is doing around you, may you walk wisely. May you step with intention, not fear. May you surrender your moments to the Spirit who fills and guides and empowers.
And may you know, deep down, that wise living doesn’t come from having all the answers.
It comes from walking with the One who is the Way.
