Problems of a Perfectionist (Live in the Moment)

There is so much hurt. Everywhere you look. People often conceal, but if you looked deep down, I think we’d all find a little brokenness in all of us. I think we’d all find this Bible verse to be very true:

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? ~ Romans 8:22-24

Soak in these words, hope that is seen is no hope at all. Having hope takes faith and encourage. It doesn’t see the end result but knows that good things are in store. It walks along the path of trials and perseveres. It doesn’t give up. It isn’t deferred. It sees the Red Sea and knows that somehow, some way, God will make a way.

Romans 8:28 (the verse I cling to in this season of my life) has been my lifeline. It states, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Did you get that? All things God works together for our good. Not some things…all things. The trials, the pain, the impossible scenarios…God can use that all for our good.

For me, I think a problem that often stops me in my tracks is perfection. So many of us have dreamed dreams so big and have had them shattered in our hands. Sometimes we grow bitter, sometimes we sink in self-pity, self-hatred. However, God is not afraid to work with the messy. He often takes imperfect people to transform for His glory.

If you feel like your story is over, don’t be so quick to want to grab the pen from God. He’s not done using you, forgiving you, washing you clean. He has great plans in store for you. He can use your trial to be an encouragement to someone else. He may be pruning you, allowing circumstances to sculpt your perspective, but these things are not in vain. They are for your good.

Often, it’s so hard to take this at face value. Doubt may seep in, but we can’t let it. We have to hold on to these truths, hold on to the Bible, because that is where our redemption lies…in the face of Jesus who lovingly died for you and me.

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 8:38-29

This life isn’t all lilies and roses. Jesus knew that firsthand. And yet, in the mud of our distress, God can plant flowers of hope.

We need to recognize that not everything in this life will be perfect…but it will be worth it. Do you know some things I do when I realize that life isn’t perfect? I get a little easier on myself (my OCD subsides), I get a little easier on others (peace-filled friendships), and I look to the Perfect One a bit more (Jesus). This life isn’t perfect, and when I don’t expect it to be, I find a true bliss.

 How true the quote is above. Sometimes, we just need to grieve over the life we’ll never have. All too often, I find myself daydreaming about the future. It is so tempting to dream about the perfect spouse, children, house… the reality is, I have to live the life I have now. That is my true reality.

“…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” ~ Philippians 4:11

Can you and I honestly say we have learned to be content whatever the circumstances? This needs to be reflected on a bit. Am I okay if none of my dreams come true? Can I embrace the life I have now?

The thing is, any moment, things can slip out of our grasp. The only thing that will not is our relationship with the Heavenly Father and our home in Heaven. That is the one thing we can hold onto with certainty.

Despite how uncertain our world may be there is a wonderful gift we have: today. Today, we can make the best of our circumstances. Today, we can embrace others and lead them to Christ. Today, we can brighten somebody’s day.

No matter the storm that rages on in your life or mine, we must learn to let go of what we cannot control, and let God work in our lives in the moment. The reality is, we can’t change the past and we can’t control the future.

This is the day the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it. ~ Psalm 118:24

This life can throw curve balls left and right. It’s not our circumstances; it’s our reaction. If we want to improve our lives, we need to embrace the moment. We really only have two commandments to remember (which I’m thankful for because I don’t have the best memory, lol). It’s these:

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” ~ Mark 12:30-31

Simple. To the point. Just like I like it.

So in these days, when stress, sadness, or loneliness overwhelm you…just remember these two greatest commandments. I find that in living in the moment (rather than the unvisitable past or future), allows me to better do these things. And, in remembering that perfection is out of my reach, I find that grace keeps me moving forward.

I hope these words encourage you. As you can tell there is a lot to say here. Take to heart what you can. Never give up hope!

Blessings! <3

**Since the implausibility of perfection was discussed above, do not expect my blog’s to always be perfect. Trust in the One Who is!