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‘I had created a barrier so that people couldn’t see the real me. And once you start doing that, you’ve got to maintain it then because there’s this fear that if people see the real me, they might not like me.’
Linda Macqueen has built a reputation as a respected editor and communications professional. Yet when her pursuit of perfection began to fall apart, she discovered something far more powerful—being authentically herself, and the hope that shatters the myth of perfection.
Key takeaways from this episode
Perfectionism can become a barrier that hides the real self, driven by fear that being seen as imperfect will lead to rejection or loss of worth.
Early praise and success can unintentionally shape identity, teaching people to tie their value to performance rather than being loved for who they are.
Living behind a façade of perfection creates isolation, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion, cutting people off from genuine connection with others and with God.
When life finally collapsed under the weight of maintaining perfection, it became the unexpected starting point for healing and a new way of living.
God’s love is not earned or increased by achievement — it already exists fully, even in failure and brokenness.
Vulnerability opened the door to deeper relationships, authentic community, and the freedom to be real rather than impressive.
Faith isn’t about having it all together; Christians are just as broken as anyone else, and it’s in shared weakness that real community forms.
True growth comes from resting securely in God’s unconditional love, allowing space to question, struggle, and grow without fear.
Hope is found in Jesus, who consistently chose to walk with the broken, the rejected, and those who felt they didn’t measure up.
Episode transcript
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Related booklet
Christianity, at first glance, seems unbelievable. This booklet examines the Christian faith and why so many trust, believe and hope in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Maybe you can too?
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