Immediately, my guard went up... great, I just poured my heart out, what are they gonna say?
But what they said was profound.
"Quit trying to be perfect."
........
God must have been working on my heart, because instead of being offended, I was struck by the truth of that statement. I've lived with a self imposed standard hanging over my head, a NEED to be more than I am. Instead of driving me to success, it has driven me to a deep sense of failure. Whether in relationships, motherhood, being a wife, or ministry; there is a constant push to be perfect. And not just perfect, but the greatest perfect. I don't think I'm alone in this. At least, I hope I'm not!
That conversation freed me. I repented of trying to be perfect because God showed me something.
Perfectionism is arrogant.
The very thought that I can be perfect, that I can attain perfection is blasphemous. God is the only One who is, the only One who can be, and the only One who will ever be truly perfect.
How guilty I feel when I fail and how good I feel when I succeed. It all pales in comparison to the glory of a sinless God.
The lie of hell that has pervaded the church and our homes is this: You must be the best and to be the best, you must be perfect. How ridiculous is that? It's not that we shouldn't try to do our best, it's the idea that identity is wrapped up in performance.
4 Ways to Shake Off Perfectionism:
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:8-10).
- Remember salvation.
Jesus died on the cross to be perfection for us. He took our sin and countless failures and replaced it with holiness. Now when God looks at us, He sees Jesus. Our very salvation is on the basis of our imperfection.
“But He said to me, `My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
- Give yourself grace.
Instead of boasting in our works, boast in weaknesses. Know our weakness is what makes us more powerful in Christ. We can do nothing without Him. God, in His perfection, gives us plenty of grace. We don't have to live in chains. We are free!
“As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him.” (Psalm 18:30).
- Rest in God.
"He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)
When the pressures of this life come storming down on us, we can take refuge in Jesus Christ. Most of the perfectionist mindset comes from anxiety about what could go wrong. God knows the beginning from the end. He is our strength when life isn't going perfectly. When we are overwhelmed with how imperfect we are, it is such a comfort to know we are being changed daily into His likeness. He will complete the good work He is doing in us.
“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33).
- Seek Jesus.
Seek Jesus and make Him your first priority. If an airplane is crashing, the rule is that every individual must place the oxygen mask over their own faces before helping others. God is our oxygen mask from the crashes of life. He must be our first priority and when He is, we breath easier knowing that He will take care of the rest. If we are focused on the crash, the aftermath, or what others are doing; we will be caught in that snare again.Carrying out these things will cause us to be more like Jesus-in effect, make us more perfect.
How about you? Have you been ensnared by perfectionism? If so, do you have any comments? I would love to hear them.
No comments:
Post a Comment