Dealing with perfectionism

Dealing with Perfectionism: God expects Progressive Perfection

Perfectionism can become an idol. Perfectionism can make you form an unachievable idealistic goal for yourselves and burn you.

You set very high, impossible and unachievable expectations for yourself, fail to meet them and then criticize yourself harshly. This is not the kind of “perfect” that God expects from us. God expects progressive perfection, not an idol.

Dealing with Perfectionism: Perfectionism replaces God-dependence with self-dependence:

When perfectionism becomes an idol, we often remove God from the equation. We are not meant to live life by our own strength. To produce fruits that glorify God, we must be fully dependent on Him and His spirit leading. Anything less than this will lead to self-righteousness and pride, which displeases God.

Trusting in your own performance to gain God’s favour or please people will only drain you.

Psalms 18:32

It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.

Isaiah 64:6

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags, and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Dealing with Perfectionism: Choosing the good part

Perfectionists often struggle with anxiety. Worry and anxiety are the results of believing that everything depends on us. Let not the good things be a blocker for the great things in God.

Mary was seeking, while Martha was focused on serving. Serving God is good, but seeking God is essential.

Luke Chapter 10

38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.

40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Dealing with Perfectionism: First things First

Even good godly works can keep us away from God. Perfectionism causes you to be too focused more on the work and targets, that you forget to remember your creator and depend on Him for everything. You would forget why you do what you do and often won't realize it.

In Revelation, Jesus rebukes the Church of Ephesus for leaving their first love, though they endured many sufferings and laboured hard for God.

Sacrificing your quiet time with God, neglecting prayer and bible reading will lead to spiritual starvation.

Revelation Chapter 2

1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles and are not, and hast found them, liars:

3 And hast bore, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

4 Nevertheless I have [somewhat] against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Dealing with Perfectionism: Cast your cares on Him!

God loves you and cares for you. Since He is carrying you, you can cast your burdens on Him and be free. Don't look to appear perfect outside. In humbleness, seek God's grace to become more like Him, with the help of the Spirit.

1 Peter 5:7

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Matthew 11

28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Philippians 4

6Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 3:3-4

3Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

4But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

Dealing with Perfectionism: You can be perfect without the idol of perfectionism

Complete perfection is not possible for human beings on this side of Heaven. That will happen only on the day we meet our God in the sky. However, we must strive to become more of Jesus every single day.

We must remember that Salvation, Sanctification and Justification are only achieved by the Grace of God and not by our own self will. We are led by the Spirit.

Hebrews 10

14For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

16This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

17And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

19Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

20By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

Colossians 1:28

Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

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