Having been in the company of so many that are of the “perfectionist” type personality, from parents, siblings, spouses and dear friends, and even the tendency myself. I have seen perfectionism work its destruction, undermining any sense of peace and satisfaction. Peace with God eroded, satisfaction in being just who one is, destroyed.
The underlying issue in so much of the aforementioned maladies often boils down to comparing oneself to a “standard”, real or imagined. Often it’s a standard imposed by parents or society that becomes a dialogue in our minds of what or who we should be. The nagging internal dialogue is sometimes not even recognized because it becomes such an ingrained part of our lives. Ask yourself the next time you are frustrated yourself for not “measuring up”, who’s measurement are you trying to live up to? Who's voice is it in your head that is dictating the standard in which you are trying to measure up to?
Another “comparing ourselves”, that is just as destructive, is comparing ourselves with one another. As a woman, with societies overemphasis on youth and beauty, I can feel good about myself until I see the gorgeous model on the magazine cover or the latest young “hottie” on the TV. How this presents itself in a man, I can only imagine that the comparison would go along the lines of comparing yourself to the guy pulling down a six figure income or the young muscular jock at the gym or possibly the success of a sibling…”why can’t you be more like------(fill in the blank)”.
When we can accept ourselves as Beloved, accepted, uniquely made and fashioned by our loving Abba, flaws and all. Consider that He fashioned us with all our flaws for His purpose, that through all our “cracks” we have a unique ability to comfort and bring healing to those no one else could reach but for our uniqueness and flaws. He is NOT disillusioned with you, for He had no illusions about you. He knew what He was doing when He designed you, and as my Mom used to say,
“God doesn’t make junk”.
Love,
Jeanne
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