Dealing with perfectionism in an imperfect world?

[Anonymous0210]

I have this problem in my life that I've always had since becoming a christian years ago now. It's perfectionism/legalism. Just recently though I have been dealing with an issue at work thats led me to make this post because i just more than anything want some advice and input from people on how to fix this issue. I keep committing what I perceive to be willful sin not even because I want to but because it seems as though it's the only way to get through my job. It all has to do with training thats required for the job. I try to actually do the training properly but this issue is in order to do it properly it places what I perceive to be a huge burden on me. It's actually over something probably most people would perceive to be silly but my mind grapples onto it and it gives me anxiety and guilt from feeling like I'm committing sin. It all has to do with acknowledgements for terms and conditions and stuff. Again i know it's silly but it's just gets to me. I've asked God for help on it but it's just tough for me to deal with because my mind makes me feel like I have to read though and understand one of those things along with find mental loopholes just to get through it. I cant really talk about this issue to people around me cause they'll probably just think I'm crazy. It shines light though on the bigger issue as a whole that there is no escaping sin in this world no matter how hard a person tries to. Jesus himself states that stumbling blocks are inevitable in Matthew 18:7, and Luke 17:1. So if thats the case then how do i deal with this issue. I know our works don't save us and the only way to heaven is through faith in what Jesus Christ did on the cross but I also don't want to sin. I don't want to willfully sin either and I don't want to abuse grace. I can't run away from the issue either because like Jesus said it is inevitable and this is an imperfect world. I try to find ways around issues like this like using the verse talking about food sacrificed to idols and not questioning it for the sake of conscience and doing something similar with this issue which has helped me but is it ok to use idk 100%. To wrap it up how do i live with this issue of not being able to escape future stumbling blocks and battling perfectionism while at the same time not abusing grace? Thanks.

 

[BobRyan]

Jesus said - "sin no more" and in 1 John 2:1 "I write these things that you may not sin"

But then 1 John 2:1 adds "if anyone sins we have an advocate with the Father - Jesus Christ"

Rest in Jesus. Trust Him not ONLY for forgiveness but also for obedience.

"I can do ALL things through Christ who STRENGTHENS me" Phil 4:13

In Rom 8:4-12 we are told that obedience is impossible for the one not born-again, not filled with the Holy Spirit. Trust Christ, claim the promise of the Holy Spirit.

trust not in yourself but in God.

Don't look behind you - look ahead. Go forward in Christ without constantly second guessing the past.

 

[Zceptre]

I've been in a lot of sticky situations like this. I've given up a lot of money and positions and privileges on account of things I considered sinful that were required. I'm not sure every one of those decisions were the best looking back, even though my heart is in the right place.

Over time God is teaching us to love good and hate sin, and it seems you are there, His Spirit is at work inside you. The Lord Jesus didn't tell the centurion to give up his job being a soldier (not a "holy" position) when he sent for his servant to be healed, but commended him for his faith in God's goodness through the Messiah. God doesn't look on things we do or whether we were perfect in all our words or deeds, but judges us by our heart and what is in it. (1 Samuel 16:7)

I think God sees you struggling with this and doesn't like that it is hurting you. He knows you don't want to do whatever it is you are being forced to do, just like soldiers in wars are having to do things that are unspeakable, but they must trust God and do their job because otherwise, as far as they know, evil wins.

Things are easier said than done, so saying it isn't as hard as having to do it. But I think if we really realize just how well God understands us, in being our Creator and knowing every hair on our head and every intent of our heart... then He knows very well what we don't want to do, and what we are forced into by this fallen world. We have to wrap our heads around just how much He loves us and how far He has went to keep us covered. (Romans 8:32) (Genesis 3:21) Adam and Eve didn't live sin free after they ate the fruit, and God knew they wouldn't, and covered them with clothes anyway representing that He has us "covered."

I think ultimately that trusting God boils down to this in its essence, realizing that we are His children in a literal sense and while we are not perfect, He is, and as long as our heart is in the right placed He will take care of the mistakes we make or things we can't manage to avoid or escape.

 

[KevinT]

I have this problem in my life that I've always had since becoming a christian years ago now. It's perfectionism/legalism. Just recently though I have been dealing with an issue at work thats led me to make this post because i just more than anything want some advice and input from people on how to fix this issue. I keep committing what I perceive to be willful sin not even because I want to but because it seems as though it's the only way to get through my job. It all has to do with training thats required for the job. I try to actually do the training properly but this issue is in order to do it properly it places what I perceive to be a huge burden on me. It's actually over something probably most people would perceive to be silly but my mind grapples onto it and it gives me anxiety and guilt from feeling like I'm committing sin. It all has to do with acknowledgements for terms and conditions and stuff. Again i know it's silly but it's just gets to me. I've asked God for help on it but it's just tough for me to deal with because my mind makes me feel like I have to read though and understand one of those things along with find mental loopholes just to get through it. I cant really talk about this issue to people around me cause they'll probably just think I'm crazy. It shines light though on the bigger issue as a whole that there is no escaping sin in this world no matter how hard a person tries to. Jesus himself states that stumbling blocks are inevitable in Matthew 18:7, and Luke 17:1. So if thats the case then how do i deal with this issue. I know our works don't save us and the only way to heaven is through faith in what Jesus Christ did on the cross but I also don't want to sin. I don't want to willfully sin either and I don't want to abuse grace. I can't run away from the issue either because like Jesus said it is inevitable and this is an imperfect world. I try to find ways around issues like this like using the verse talking about food sacrificed to idols and not questioning it for the sake of conscience and doing something similar with this issue which has helped me but is it ok to use idk 100%. To wrap it up how do i live with this issue of not being able to escape future stumbling blocks and battling perfectionism while at the same time not abusing grace? Thanks.

I don't fully understand your situation, but it seems to be that your job is putting you into a position that you feel is morally wrong. I don't exactly know the best solution, but I would point out that an employer setting up such a condition is not necessarily a religious issue. For example, if they told you to do more tasks than are physically possible, then failing to meet their expectations would not be sinful.

On the other hand, if they are asking you to do something that you feels violates the instruction God has given, then it may be time to talk to your boss and explain your objections. And if they can't accommodate you, then you might need to look for a different job.

Best wishes,
KT

 

[Anonymous0210]

I've been in a lot of sticky situations like this. I've given up a lot of money and positions and privileges on account of things I considered sinful that were required. I'm not sure every one of those decisions were the best looking back, even though my heart is in the right place.

Over time God is teaching us to love good and hate sin, and it seems you are there, His Spirit is at work inside you. The Lord Jesus didn't tell the centurion to give up his job being a soldier (not a "holy" position) when he sent for his servant to be healed, but commended him for his faith in God's goodness through the Messiah. God doesn't look on things we do or whether we were perfect in all our words or deeds, but judges us by our heart and what is in it. (1 Samuel 16:7)

I think God sees you struggling with this and doesn't like that it is hurting you. He knows you don't want to do whatever it is you are being forced to do, just like soldiers in wars are having to do things that are unspeakable, but they must trust God and do their job because otherwise, as far as they know, evil wins.

Things are easier said than done, so saying it isn't as hard as having to do it. But I think if we really realize just how well God understands us, in being our Creator and knowing every hair on our head and every intent of our heart... then He knows very well what we don't want to do, and what we are forced into by this fallen world. We have to wrap our heads around just how much He loves us and how far He has went to keep us covered. (Romans 8:32) (Genesis 3:21) Adam and Eve didn't live sin free after they ate the fruit, and God knew they wouldn't, and covered them with clothes anyway representing that He has us "covered."

I think ultimately that trusting God boils down to this in its essence, realizing that we are His children in a literal sense and while we are not perfect, He is, and as long as our heart is in the right placed He will take care of the mistakes we make or things we can't manage to avoid or escape.

See my issue is my brain see's things that probably most people wouldn't even think about because its so minor but my brain sees it and doesn't let me forget it. It makes me aware of the issues and has me in a mindset of if i don't do it the way it should be done im sinning. At it's core thats what I'm struggling with and its a burden to me.

 

[Hoping2]

I have this problem in my life that I've always had since becoming a christian years ago now. It's perfectionism/legalism. Just recently though I have been dealing with an issue at work thats led me to make this post because i just more than anything want some advice and input from people on how to fix this issue. I keep committing what I perceive to be willful sin not even because I want to but because it seems as though it's the only way to get through my job. It all has to do with training thats required for the job. I try to actually do the training properly but this issue is in order to do it properly it places what I perceive to be a huge burden on me. It's actually over something probably most people would perceive to be silly but my mind grapples onto it and it gives me anxiety and guilt from feeling like I'm committing sin. It all has to do with acknowledgements for terms and conditions and stuff. Again i know it's silly but it's just gets to me. I've asked God for help on it but it's just tough for me to deal with because my mind makes me feel like I have to read though and understand one of those things along with find mental loopholes just to get through it. I cant really talk about this issue to people around me cause they'll probably just think I'm crazy. It shines light though on the bigger issue as a whole that there is no escaping sin in this world no matter how hard a person tries to. Jesus himself states that stumbling blocks are inevitable in Matthew 18:7, and Luke 17:1. So if thats the case then how do i deal with this issue. I know our works don't save us and the only way to heaven is through faith in what Jesus Christ did on the cross but I also don't want to sin. I don't want to willfully sin either and I don't want to abuse grace. I can't run away from the issue either because like Jesus said it is inevitable and this is an imperfect world. I try to find ways around issues like this like using the verse talking about food sacrificed to idols and not questioning it for the sake of conscience and doing something similar with this issue which has helped me but is it ok to use idk 100%. To wrap it up how do i live with this issue of not being able to escape future stumbling blocks and battling perfectionism while at the same time not abusing grace? Thanks.

Have you ever heard the expression..."Read the fine print" ?
Once you start getting charged $250.00, on an annual basis, for something you were unaware of, you will be happy to read those disclaimers !
Reading won't send one to hell, like lying will.

 

[Anonymous0210]

Have you ever heard the expression..."Read the fine print" ?
Once you start getting charged $250.00, on an annual basis, for something you were unaware of, you will be happy to read those disclaimers !
Reading won't send one to hell, like lying will.

Do you know how much of a burden it puts on my life to be aware of things that most people don't think about. My brain grapples onto it and makes me anxious about these things due to the potential to sin. I hate it.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

I have this problem in my life that I've always had since becoming a christian years ago now. It's perfectionism/legalism. Just recently though I have been dealing with an issue at work thats led me to make this post because i just more than anything want some advice and input from people on how to fix this issue. I keep committing what I perceive to be willful sin not even because I want to but because it seems as though it's the only way to get through my job. It all has to do with training thats required for the job. I try to actually do the training properly but this issue is in order to do it properly it places what I perceive to be a huge burden on me. It's actually over something probably most people would perceive to be silly but my mind grapples onto it and it gives me anxiety and guilt from feeling like I'm committing sin. It all has to do with acknowledgements for terms and conditions and stuff. Again i know it's silly but it's just gets to me. I've asked God for help on it but it's just tough for me to deal with because my mind makes me feel like I have to read though and understand one of those things along with find mental loopholes just to get through it. I cant really talk about this issue to people around me cause they'll probably just think I'm crazy. It shines light though on the bigger issue as a whole that there is no escaping sin in this world no matter how hard a person tries to. Jesus himself states that stumbling blocks are inevitable in Matthew 18:7, and Luke 17:1. So if thats the case then how do i deal with this issue. I know our works don't save us and the only way to heaven is through faith in what Jesus Christ did on the cross but I also don't want to sin. I don't want to willfully sin either and I don't want to abuse grace. I can't run away from the issue either because like Jesus said it is inevitable and this is an imperfect world. I try to find ways around issues like this like using the verse talking about food sacrificed to idols and not questioning it for the sake of conscience and doing something similar with this issue which has helped me but is it ok to use idk 100%. To wrap it up how do i live with this issue of not being able to escape future stumbling blocks and battling perfectionism while at the same time not abusing grace? Thanks.

In reading through your posts it seems you may have a mind that " over thinks" situations. The real question is , what are you in fear of?

" Love casts out all fear and God is Love".

Maybe focus on His promise to us. It will help.
Be Blessed

 

[eleos1954]

I have this problem in my life that I've always had since becoming a christian years ago now. It's perfectionism/legalism. Just recently though I have been dealing with an issue at work thats led me to make this post because i just more than anything want some advice and input from people on how to fix this issue. I keep committing what I perceive to be willful sin not even because I want to but because it seems as though it's the only way to get through my job. It all has to do with training thats required for the job. I try to actually do the training properly but this issue is in order to do it properly it places what I perceive to be a huge burden on me. It's actually over something probably most people would perceive to be silly but my mind grapples onto it and it gives me anxiety and guilt from feeling like I'm committing sin. It all has to do with acknowledgements for terms and conditions and stuff. Again i know it's silly but it's just gets to me. I've asked God for help on it but it's just tough for me to deal with because my mind makes me feel like I have to read though and understand one of those things along with find mental loopholes just to get through it. I cant really talk about this issue to people around me cause they'll probably just think I'm crazy. It shines light though on the bigger issue as a whole that there is no escaping sin in this world no matter how hard a person tries to. Jesus himself states that stumbling blocks are inevitable in Matthew 18:7, and Luke 17:1. So if thats the case then how do i deal with this issue. I know our works don't save us and the only way to heaven is through faith in what Jesus Christ did on the cross but I also don't want to sin. I don't want to willfully sin either and I don't want to abuse grace. I can't run away from the issue either because like Jesus said it is inevitable and this is an imperfect world. I try to find ways around issues like this like using the verse talking about food sacrificed to idols and not questioning it for the sake of conscience and doing something similar with this issue which has helped me but is it ok to use idk 100%. To wrap it up how do i live with this issue of not being able to escape future stumbling blocks and battling perfectionism while at the same time not abusing grace? Thanks.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 teaches that fearing God and keeping His commandments is the whole duty of man. This fear is not a fear of punishment, but a reverence and awe for God's greatness and holiness.

We will indeed stumble but God is always there to pick us up and begin anew. We are constantly being sanctified by the Lord through the power of the Holy Spirit it is a earthly life long process ... we rest in the fact that Jesus will cover us with HIS righteous unto salvation .... in the meantime we should be progressing towards Christ .... with our character (what we say and do) becoming more like Him. So we self-evaluate .... are we moving towards Christ or away from Him? Are we going to mess up? Yes .... and when we do we go to Jesus with a sincere heart we are forgiven and are to continue onwards. Little by little we are being changed as we continue to walk with Him.

 

[Hoping2]

Do you know how much of a burden it puts on my life to be aware of things that most people don't think about. My brain grapples onto it and makes me anxious about these things due to the potential to sin. I hate it.

What makes you so sure that others are not grappling with the same things ?
All you are experiencing is a finely tuned conscience.
Just keep doing the right thing, and be assured, from in our Lord.

 

[com7fy8]

Ok . . . so, you know how even though God guarantees us salvation it is wrong to sin on purpose because we know we're going to be saved anyway.

It is possible to invent a problem, to see something as being a sin when it isn't. And then we can get all concerned about what isn't even wrong, anyway. And this can be a trick to keep our attention away from what God is really concerned about.

God is not only concerned about little details of what you do. More important is how we become submissive to Him in His peace.

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful " (Colossians 3:15)

In God's peace we have His creativity for handling everything well. He does care about details, and He creates with them, for loving.

 

[timf]

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

We are not able to get everything perfect or we would boast like the Pharisees. The fear of not getting things right tends to elevate self and accomplishment. Being able to trust in the love of our Savior for us allows us to consider that in spite of our ignorance and failures, we are still forgiven in Christ.

At age 75 one discovers that things like cleaning up and even bending over can be put off or even overlooked. Our natural decline tends to make a dent in ambitions of perfection.

 

[bèlla]

See my issue is my brain see's things that probably most people wouldn't even think about because its so minor but my brain sees it and doesn't let me forget it. It makes me aware of the issues and has me in a mindset of if i don't do it the way it should be done im sinning. At it's core thats what I'm struggling with and its a burden to me.

Do you suffer from mental health issues? That can exacerbate anxiety or distort your interpretation of the scripture. Was this a problem for you before you came to faith?

~bella