Years ago when our middle granddaughter was a preschooler, we took her to an arcade. In the back corner stood a few free games and among them, two old Tetris side by side.
Some of you will remember this game. Shapes drift down from the screen-top; the player must manipulate them, fitting them together in a solid wall as they reach the bottom—without leaving holes.
After a quick explanation of how to play, E. happily started pushing buttons. I decided to play the neighboring game. Bad mistake.
Video games never were my forte, and the passing years had not contributed to my skills. Frustration began to build as hole after hole appeared in my wall.
At game’s end, E. cried with joyful triumph, “Look Nana! Look at the pretty design I made!”
Though her screen displayed many colorful shapes, there were numerous holes. But that didn’t matter to E. In her view she’d created an eye-catching piece of art.
E. taught me a lesson that day. My attitude could often be improved if I just focused on the positive of what IS and not on the negative of what ISN’T.
All too frequently I’ve strived for unattainable goals, wasted time on unimportant details, or sacrificed rest while slaving through a lengthy to-do-list. I’ve also cared too much what other people thought.
All of these traits are symptoms of perfectionism.
Why are we perfectionists so strict on ourselves? Perhaps it’s because we don’t want to be:
- ashamed of our performance or handiwork
- blamed when our efforts aren’t up to par
- judged inferior or lacking in some way
To move away from such fears and toward the freedom Christ offers (John 8:36), we need to CHILL by affirming these attitudes and actions.
I am:
- C elebrating more often what’s right, criticizing less often what’s wrong
- H appy with “good enough” when appropriate
- I nspiring others with my imperfections!
- L istening to the truth
- L oved by God as I am
To jump-start such declarations, consider the following.
CELEBRATE
When faulty efforts occur, we can CELEBRATE this: “A flawed rose still smells sweet” (Unknown). I can still carry the fragrance of Christ as I rely upon him through the mistakes and failures.
(Be) HAPPY
“We don’t have to be perfect to be wonderful” (Unknown).
Lots of fantastic people in this world display admirable qualities, but not one of them is perfect.
You’re wonderful too! Give yourself the same grace you give others.
INSPIRE
“There’s no need to be perfect in order to inspire others. Let people get inspired by how you deal with your imperfections”—Ziad K. Abdelnour.
Also true:
LISTEN
Listen to such truths as these to silence the voice of perfectionism:
- Jesus did live a perfect life yet was criticized incessantly. However, all he cared about was his Father’s approval, which God bestowed (Matthew 3:17). You know who else is approved? Everyone who believes in Jesus!
Everyone who believes has God’s approval
through faith in Jesus Christ.
Romans 3:22a GW
- The godly Apostle Paul admitted—after thirty-years as a Jesus-follower— he hadn’t achieved perfection. Even so, he found satisfaction in pressing on toward spiritual maturity (Philippians 3:12-13).
- We can combat the striving as we embrace God’s desires for us—to lie down in his green pastures now and then, and not fill every minute with activity—to lead us beside quiet waters, and not struggle in a churning ocean of busyness (Psalm 23:1-3).
(Receive) LOVE
God has made it clear: “[He] loves us because of who he is, not because of who we are” (Unknown, 1 John 4:10).
His love for us is:
- Sacrificial (Romans 5:8)
- Lavish (1 John 3:1)
- Patient, kind, unfailing, and more (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
- Forgiving (Ephesians 4:32)
- Everlasting (Jeremiah 31:3)
So! When perfectionism insists we aim even beyond excellence, let’s remember:
There are no perfect daughters, wives or mothers; no perfect sons, husbands, or fathers; no perfect employees, no perfect homes. No one has it 100% together.
“What we do have is a perfect God who is able to lead us through this imperfect life with unfailing strength, incomparable wisdom, and infinite love” (Unknown).
Like our granddaughter E., we can celebrate with joyful triumph the cumulating designs of our lives—imperfect though they may be.
Let’s CHILL!
Art & photo credits: http://www.flickr.com; http://www.canva.com (4); http://www.pixabay.com; http://www.canva.com.
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From the Inside Out 