Perfectionism has always been something I have struggled with throughout my life. Though I have learned many ways of how to fight it, it is nonetheless still a daily struggle for me.
Thus, I found this article encouraging and helpful. It is from the devotional I read in the mornings, Journey, and is written by several women.
"It is not that we are competent in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our competence is from God." 2 Corinthians 3:5
"Self-condemnation. This unwelcome companion harassed me almost every Sunday for period of time. Riding home from church, I'd tear myself apart because of the way I'd taught our ladies' class. Before long, I descended into a murky pit of self-criticism, discouragement, and distress. Like a snake suffocating its prey, self-condemnation strangled my joy of teaching God's Word to women.
Then, one day, the Lord opened my eyes to 2 Corinthians 3:5. Relief still rushes through me as I hear this truth: I'm not adequate in myself - God makes me adequate. Perfectionism's pressure and the anxiety that 'I just don't measure up' have lost their grip on me as I rely on the reality of 2 Corinthians 3:5.
God imparts special gifts to us so that we can effectively serve Him. 'A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person to produce what is beneficial' (1 Corinthians 12:7). Our responsibility is to depend on the Holy Spirit's help and steward these gifts as best as possible. The Lord gifts and equips us, enabling us to accomplish all He calls us to do. While God entrusts us with His work, He doesn't intend for us to accomplish it in our own strength.
But so often, that's precisely what we do. Stressing and agonizing over our performance, we strive for perfection. Afterward, we critique ourselves and determine whether our service met the mark. This attitude not only wearies us, it also saddens God. He already 'has given us everything required for life and godliness' (2 Peter 1:3). We simply need to lean on Him: 'If anyone serves, it should be from the strength God provides.' (1 Peter 4:11).
God is pleased when we pursue excellence in our efforts on His behalf. He deserves nothing less. The key, however, rests in the source of our strength. Trusting Him to make us adequate for the task at hand frees us from self-reliance and self-condemnation. God alone grants us adequacy. Knowing this truth enables us to fulfill His plans with joy.
Are you criticizing yourself as you serve the Lord? Just as God lovingly delivered me from these perils, I pray He'll free you as well. God is for us. He has plans to use us. His makes us able."
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