How I Became Free By Quitting My Pursuit of Personal Perfection

Growing up, I always tried to be this perfect embodiment of what I believed a good, morally upstanding person should be. Unfortunately, this was the start of placing heavy burdens on myself that would later lead to even more far-fetched goals and inevitable disappointments. Disappointment in myself, in others, and even in myself for other’s choices, which I had felt responsible over. My pastor Shayne, puts it well, “We are not responsible for people, we are responsible to people.”

Why Worry?

Fortunately, I have come a long way from that insecure, control-freak of a person I used to be. Here’s the truth: we are not really in control, anyway. So why worry about things that you cannot really control?

Related Post: Identity Crisis

“The English word worry actually has its roots in the word “strangle.” Strangle is one of the most powerful descriptions of what worry does to you. It "strangles the life out of you."Recently, I have been trying to be more invested in my job, trying harder and learning more. Yet, the other day I had a call from a difficult client, who just found fault with everything. I was discouraged, and I must admit that I was disappointed in myself. Yet, after a while, I started encouraging myself and reminding myself that this is not the truth of who I am. My identity does not lie in the approval of others, it lies in the truth of who God says I am.Once, I read an article by Andrew Wommack, that also really helped, where he said, “The same is true with the heart. If we take our eyes off Jesus and focus on the evil of this world and our circumstances, then, little by little, the layers of negativity harden around our hearts. Then the love for God and others waxes cold."

Our Identity Is in Him, He is Perfect

I posted this on my Facebook page, and it was a great reminder for me today. Don’t measure your worth or value based on the things that fluctuate and are conditional. Instead, find your value in the unconditional and consistent love of God. There is only so much pleasure your job can bring you, your relationships, or reruns of old TV shows. The ultimate pleasure is found in the Father. Your identity is based on your knowledge of Him.So many times I have forgotten (when the disappointment hits) that my worth is found in Christ alone. The world’s standard is a high one, yet this is what Jesus says to us,

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV)

Perfect Rest in Him

So be encouraged today. No matter the burdens that the world tries to place on you or that you place on yourself, there is a rest that you can seek and find. In fact, God wants to give you rest, and He wants you to enjoy your life, every aspect of it.Maybe we can start by letting go. Letting go of the perception of a perfect life. Instead, we should embrace a real life, warts and all. As we focus on Jesus, instead of the problem/or its details, we will start walking on water and growing in our faith.