Grace for Perfectionists
Do you try hard to be perfect in every way?
Are you afraid of letting your hear down?
Do you wonder if you are good enough?
Are you tired of trying to succeed?
Watchman Nee has said “Many Christians endeavor to drive themselves by will-power, and then think the Christian life a most exhausting and bitter one.” But will-power or self-help does not work. It’s not about us making ourselves perfect or useful. It’s not about us producing fruit. It’s not about us making ourselves worthy.
Success does not get us into the kingdom of God,
failure does not keep us out of there.
The only thing than matters is our trust in Jesus.
The fulfillment of God’s promise depends entirely on trusting God and his way, and then simply embracing him and what he does. God’s promise arrives as pure gift. That’s the only way everyone can be sure to get in on it. (Romans 4:16, MSG)
It does not matter how perfect (or not) we are.
It’s not about us trying to be perfect.
It’s about us trusting and embracing God and his ways.
The difference between trying and trusting is the difference between law and grace. Either you live in law or you live in grace. Either you exhaust yourself under the law or you rest in God’s free grace.
My grace is enough for you, because power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Cor.12:9 CEB)
But, but, but, you say. No buts, my friend. God is in the business of creating new life. He does not just fix our problems or help us a little bit. God creates new life all together. In us.
Christ is building you into a place where God lives through the Spirit. (Eph. 2:22, CEB)
When we are new creatures in Christ, God is living in us.
When we live in the Spirit, God works through us.
When we rest in grace, God is active in us, for us, through us.
When we trust God, things will get done.
Simple. Yet so powerful and true.
It’s not about us being or trying to be perfect.
It’s about us trusting God and enjoying the ride.
Grace is a game changer, eye opener, freedom-releaser.
We can quit trying and embrace trusting.
Gracious God,
Thank you that we don’t need to be perfect.
Help us to dare to bear our souls and
let us hair down.
Enable us to trust you completely and
stop trying on our own.
Refresh our weary souls.
Redeem and restore!
Teach us what it is to rest in your grace.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Q4U: Trying or trusting – what’s your style?
Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you live authentically!
Giving thanks today for
#661 freedom in Christ
#662 rest in grace
#663 God is the answer for our promblems
#664 we can quit trying to be perfect
#665 we can let our hair down
#666 God is above everything
#667 God is active in us, for us, through us
#668 we are new creatures in Christ
#669 we can let God breath through us
#670 God’s plan and timing is best
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Image courtesy of Kashane Smith. Linking up today with Sharing His Beauty & Hear it on Sunday, Use it on Monday &Soli Deo Gloria and
16 thoughts on “Grace for Perfectionists”
Ah, yes. “Trying” IS trying! And exhausting, wearing, frustrating, defeating! (Don’t ask how I know!) But when we get in sync with the Holy Spirit, and let Him carry us, use us, work in us, what we “do” just flows, and accomplishes His purposes so beautifully, His way! Instead of feeling beat up and beat down, we (I anyhow) often feel energized and vibrant instead!
I’ve just posted about George Meuller, who “got” this, and he certainly didn’t just sit around and emote about Christ. What works God did through Him! We just need to trust God enough to let this happen in our lives, too.
BTW, 2 Corinthians 12:9 is one of my all-time favorite Bible verses, a truly guiding verse for much of my life — in which God proved it true, repeatedly!
Yes, “trying” is trying. Trusting is freeing. I bet we all have experience of this. But yes. The more we get out of the way, the more things start happening in/for/through us. I need to check out your post, sounds intriguing. Thanks so much! Grace-filled Blessings!
Awesome message! Agreeing with Sylv_R. If we’d just let the Lord carry us and let Him work in and through us – we need to get out of His way. Great post!
Janet
Thanks, Janet, for stopping by and commenting! Yes, God really does know best. Bountiful blessings to you!
It’s not about us being or trying to be perfect.
It’s about us trusting God and enjoying the ride.
Amen to this! I’m sitting on the top of the ferris wheel, enjoying the ride.
Woot! Just think about all the great stories you have to share! Joy-filled Blessings on your faith adventures!
I’ve never really thought of perfectionism as taking away from grace and being more about the law, but you worded this nicely. Very eye opening. Thanks.
I tend to be a perfectionist but I’ve always known I’m saved by grace and can’t work my way to heaven. For me, I think my perfectionism is more about control- lacking trust that God is big enough to handle my problems. These past few years God has really helped release me from this way of thinking. It’s so liberating to rest in Him and not worry over every small detail.
Thanks for your post. You’ve given me a great deal to think about and pray over as being a perfectionist has so many facets.
Thank you, TC, for sharing. I struggle with this, too. I’d like to think I am not a perfectionist but in some ways I am. Too often we use way much energy for being perfect. When allowing ourselves to be who we are would make us that much more approachable and authentic anyway. Glad to know God is speaking about these matters to other pilgrims, too. May God continue to bless and keep you in his bountiful grace.
Thank you. It’s wonderful to know we are not alone in our struggles.
I want to be approachable, God forgive me for when I am not.
I think perfectionism is a way we can ‘protect’ ourselves. Sort of like a shield, making us not very approachable at times.
I’m so glad God is enlightening me and stretching me. it can be uncomfortable but it’s well worth it!
God bless.
Yes, I think perfectionism is a shield to try to protect us, too. And it ends up being a wall between us and others. Our loss. But thankfully God keeps working in us. Good to be learning in grace with you, TC! Have a blessed day!
Grace is a game-changer. You said it, Mari-Anna! That’s exactly how I feel too. I still have barely touched the tip of the iceberg in understanding grace, but everything I know, I love. Thanks for helping us “perfectionists” understand grace (i.e. Jesus!) better.
Thank you kindly, Lisa! Yes, we have SO much to learn about grace! But how wonderful it is to explore grace! Nothing better! Thanks for learning with me. Grace-filled Blessings!
I’m deeply grateful to have had parents who began the journey out of a very legalistic branch of the church. Grace is what I eat, drink, and breathe. True grace helps us to live better lives than all the striving for perfection in the world could ever do. Thanks for sharing this, Mari-Anna!
Thank you for sharing your story, Keith! Yes, grace works; self-help doesn’t. Grace-filled blessings to you and yours!