If I ever struggled with perfectionism, God is working it out of me now! How many goofups can one girl make? Add spilling water on my bed to almost ruining my mother-in-law’s clothes dryer!
Today God reminded me that He doesn’t expect perfection from me, in fact, just the opposite. He expects me to mess up. Royally, at times! And I am quick to meet that expectation! LOL
What He expects is that, in the midst of the mess up, I would choose to be humble, easy to teach, and willing to learn. And that I would forgive myself. Ouch. That’s the tough one.
He showed me that He is releasing me from the feelings I had. Shame, guilt, condemnation. It was my choice to accept His offer of forgiveness, of freedom, or I could reject it and choose the chains of the enemy.
I chose freedom.
The other thing I was reminded of was that He chose me for a reason. Because I fail, I goof up, I make mistakes. Confused? Read these verses!
For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God–and righteousness and sanctification and redemption– that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” 1 Cor 1:26-31
And then this reminder that again goes along with my Jeremiah 33:3..
But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I love watching this progression of healing in you, Shirley-girl. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. You are perfect in my eyes, darling:) A perfect friend in my eyes. You’re loving, caring, sweet, prayer-ful… need I go on? Because I can if you want me to!
Love you, darling. Keep on growing, keep on studying, keep on messing up:) and I will, too:)
Laury
Shirley,
Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I have been reading your psots this morning, and I plan on checking your blog regularly.
This post in particular really spoke to me. I suffer from dealing with perfectionism. It has been a struggle for me ever since I was a small child. I have often times thought that God was angry with me for not being perfect, and yet like you said, he expects us to mess up sometimes.
I loved the scriptures that you quoted. What a blessing your words and these scriptures have been to me this morning.
The writing challenge starts back up today, and I so look forward to reading your entries. God bless you!