Joan C. Webb
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Spiritual Direction
  • Life Coaching
    • Life Coaching Brochure
    • What Others Say about Life Coaching
    • LifePlan Brochure
  • Enneagram Coaching
    • What others say about the Enneagram Coaching
    • Contact Joan About Enneagram Coaching
    • Enneagram Spiritual Formation Coaching Resources
  • The Intentional Woman
    • The Intentional Woman Mission/Vision
    • The Intentional Woman Authors
    • IW LifePlan
  • Freebies
  • Books
    • Nourishment for New Moms
    • The Intentional Woman
    • The Relief of Imperfection
    • It's a Wonderful (Imperfect) Life
    • Everyday Wisdom
    • Devotions for Little Boys and Girls
    • Meditations for Christians Who Try to Be Perfect
    • Joan's Writing Contributions
  • Connect with Joan
    • About Joan
    • Listen to Joan

   Joan's BLOG

What Wears You Down? Perfectionism?

9/10/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
One definition of perfectionism (or striving too hard to make it just right) is “the theory that moral, religious, or social perfection can be attained by mortals.” (Yikes!)

It’s merely a theory, yet some of us have lived like we believe this notion—and it’s worn us down. This morning I admitted to myself that I’m feeling a little “worn down” again, so I pulled my devotional book, It’s a Wonderful (Imperfect) Life, from the shelf hoping to get a little “relief” from the author, Joan C. Webb!! Here’s what I read:

  • Do you get impatient inside when a loved one’s behavior doesn’t meet your expectations? I admit, I have.
  • Are you secretly certain that your ideas are best? No comment.
  • Do you ever berate yourself for having unspiritual thoughts and feelings? Well, yes. Hmmmm. I guess that’s what I’ve been doing the last few months.  
  • Have you ever wanted to hide when you made a mistake? Duh! 
  • Do you avoid situations and conversations that put you at risk for doing it “wrong”? I admit it. I have a tendency to squelch my own voice. 
See why I call myself a “recovering perfectionist”?


Picture
Relief comes my way when I accept (not just nod at) this truth: God is perfect. I’m not. Paul writes in Romans 3:22-23 that no matter who you are or what you’ve done, it doesn’t matter—everyone is unsuccessful at measuring up to God’s perfect standards. We misinterpret His flawless ways and lack what it takes to possess the grandeur and faultless character of God. We all need God’s redemptive love. In this truth, we’re released to cease striving and accept God’s mercy and rest.

I’m so relieved I don’t have to keep up a facade of handling my life, work/ministry, relationships and my faith  ”just right.” God’s the perfect one. Not me.

My shoulders just relaxed.

Okay, I’m curious: how do you respond to any of the above questions highlighted in yellow? 


0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Joan C. Webb

    Writing, teaching, coaching to empower and set free.
    Joan is an inspirational speaker, Bible teacher, Life Coach, and author of 13 books including It's a Wonderful (Imperfect) Life, The Relief of Imperfection, The Intentional Woman. She does consulting, as well as Life Coaching, for writers, speakers, ministry leaders and entrepreneurs.

    Connect with Joan.  

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    RSS Feed

"Are you tired? Come to me. ...Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
​Jesus (Matthew 11:28-30)

INTERACT WITH JOAN

About Joan

​Connect

​Books

​Listen to Joan
Photos used with permission from Future Photo Group

Copyright 2022 Joan C. Webb
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION

FREE RESOURCES

Relief of Imperfection
​Chart


​Wheel of Life Inventory

​Feelings Chart

​Coaching and Mentoring

LIFE COACHING

Tell Me about Life Coaching

​What Others Say
ENNEAGRAM COACHING
Enneagram Coaching and
​Consulting


What others say about the Enneagram Coaching
​

Contact Joan About Enneagram Coaching
​
​
Enneagram Resources
​
​

THE INTENTIONAL WOMEN

IW LifePlan

​IW 5-Step Process
Picture
Photos used under Creative Commons from edenpictures, Renee Silverman, whologwhy, Jaime Olmo, Monkey Mash Button, mealmakeovermoms, peasap, Thomás, flik, Evil Erin, kennethkonica, JLStricklin, marioanima, jubileelewis, tswicegood, fhwrdh, Irwin-Scott, raymond_zoller, xindilo, Kumaravel, Tucker Sherman, h.koppdelaney, torbakhopper, Thomas Rousing, Patrick Hoesly, Sharon Mollerus, Por mi tripa..., Parker Knight, analogophile, JD Hancock, marimbajlamesa, ellyn., Nathan O'Nions, jessleecuizon, ZiarciRose, Alan Cleaver, BékiPe, kevin dooley, libertygrace0, Ryk Neethling, LadyDragonflyCC *TY for 500,000 views! *, Leonid Mamchenkov, Danielle Scott, GabrielaP93
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Spiritual Direction
  • Life Coaching
    • Life Coaching Brochure
    • What Others Say about Life Coaching
    • LifePlan Brochure
  • Enneagram Coaching
    • What others say about the Enneagram Coaching
    • Contact Joan About Enneagram Coaching
    • Enneagram Spiritual Formation Coaching Resources
  • The Intentional Woman
    • The Intentional Woman Mission/Vision
    • The Intentional Woman Authors
    • IW LifePlan
  • Freebies
  • Books
    • Nourishment for New Moms
    • The Intentional Woman
    • The Relief of Imperfection
    • It's a Wonderful (Imperfect) Life
    • Everyday Wisdom
    • Devotions for Little Boys and Girls
    • Meditations for Christians Who Try to Be Perfect
    • Joan's Writing Contributions
  • Connect with Joan
    • About Joan
    • Listen to Joan