Perfectionism is, according to Psychology Today<\/a>, \u201ca trait that makes life an endless report card on accomplishments or looks. When healthy, it can motivate you to overcome adversity and achieve success. When unhealthy, it can be a fast and enduring track to unhappiness\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perfectionism does not exactly \u201cride solo\u201d in terms of mentalities or psychological disorders. According to an article in BBC<\/a>, \u201cperfectionistic tendencies have been linked to a laundry list of clinical issues: depression and anxiety (even in children), self-harm, social anxiety disorder,\u201d along with a bunch of other conditions that manifest in negative ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The problem with perfectionism is that if you do not think you will do something perfectly, there is no point in trying. While this means that everything you end up doing is \u201cperfect\u201d (according to the standards you set for yourself), honestly, there is an awful lot you do not even attempt to try.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Realistically, I know that I cannot be perfect. Still, glaring mistakes make me feel automatically uncomfortable and ashamed, as though I have committed significant sin against those around me. They will now be disappointed in me and think less of me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I suppose that is the horrible thing about anxiety and perfectionism: Whether it is rational or irrational does not change how you feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Someone can tell you it is stupid to fear thunder because it can\u2019t hurt you, but that likely won\u2019t stop you from dreading storms or hating thunder. It is the same with the fear of being imperfect. Knowing it is not reasonable does not make it any less real or scary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perfectionism means holding yourself to an impossible standard you would not expect anyone to live up to. When you think you may be too hard on yourself, ask, \u201cWould I expect anyone else to be like this?\u201d If you are truly honest with yourself, the answer is likely no.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It sounds great to have a student or employee with perfectionism because who does not want someone on their team who strives for the absolute best in everything they do? However, it can be a more considerable downfall than people initially think. Perfectionists generally bristle at any criticism, constructive or not. Every error that gets pointed out feels like a personal attack on someone with perfectionism, and they will likely not seek feedback from this person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is a shame because if our friends and peers are not allowed to challenge and push us to grow personally and professionally, they are not our friends and peers. They just become people we happen to see when going about our lives, held at arms\u2019 length because we do not like what they tell us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that you know a bit about what perfectionism is and how it can manifest, I would like to give you some ideas on how to fight your perfectionist urges or tips to give to your friends or family members who struggle with perfectionism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Critical feedback is incredibly intimidating for perfectionists because we go out of our way to avoid it. Fear of the unknown is one of the most basic fears. However, blending positive and negative feedback into your critiques can make the process less frightening and harsh. Over time, you may find yourself reacting less strongly when others critique you or your work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We are often our own worst critics. If this is true for \u201cnormal\u201d people, it is even more valid for perfectionists. I have frequently had times where I have been working myself to the bone on something, obsessed with it being perfect, and I asked myself: would I be this hard on anyone else?<\/p>\n\n\n\n The answer is generally no because that would be cruel and ridiculous. So, having come to that realization, what comes next?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes, the most challenging part of failure for a perfectionist is moving on from it. It takes a ridiculous amount of time to reach the point where you say, \u201cOkay. I acknowledge that I messed up here. Let\u2019s figure out the best way to move forward and not make the same mistake again\u201d. Sometimes, you need to push yourself to accept your \u201cfailure\u201d instead of trying to ignore it to keep up your fragile projection of perfection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perfectionism is like any other extreme state of mind, like pessimism, nihilism, or even veganism (totally kidding). We all tend to fall into extreme ways of thinking from time to time, and some of us need reminders a bit more frequently that we do not have to be perfect in everything we do. As a society, we have been taught to loathe failing or making mistakes, as we believe they somehow mean that we are unskilled or unknowledgeable. However, the contrary is true. Overall, we learn more from our failures than from our successes. When we succeed, we do not feel the need to improve or listen to constructive feedback. However, when we fail or fall short, we are more open to advice and changing our strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, as Christians, we can take comfort in knowing that we are not expected to meet our self-imposed perfectionistic standards, only to strive to look more like Jesus daily. Of course, we want to glorify God in everything we do, but this does not mean we should add extra pressure on ourselves. Learning is a process, and when done for the glory of God, even imperfect works are beautiful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When we are doing our best and giving God all of the glory, any perfectionist thoughts that try to invalidate our hard work should go in one ear and out the other, as they hold no truth and have no power over you. Rejoice in your failures because they do not define you. Only God does that.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Comparison ensnares us in the condemning trap of “not enough.” Here are 3 checks to kick comparison to the curb.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":36,"featured_media":1929,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"\n Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n I remember the first time I stood up to teach the Bible to a group of women in my local church. I was terrified. Yes, I studied the passage diligently and spent hours preparing pages of notes, but I wasn\u2019t sure if my preparation was effective. Is my teaching structured well? Will the women be interested or learn anything new? Have I interpreted this passage correctly?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Many women who are asked to teach a Sunday School class, speak at a Bible study, or lead a small group experience similar fears. They often have little or no training specific to teaching Scripture and feel unequipped and insecure in their preparation. Even so, the abundance of resources available on the subject of teaching Scripture can be paralyzing for a new Bible teacher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s why we need books like Empowered and Equipped: Bible Exposition for Women Who Teach the Scriptures<\/em><\/a>. Julia Higgins, assistant professor of ministry to women at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, seeks to provide women with the tools they need to faithfully and effectively teach the Word of God to other women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cJesus commissioned disciples to teach the nations, and women of the church must take his call seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Men and women alike are given the spiritual gift of teaching, yet few resources are designed specifically for women who exposit the Scriptures. In Empowered and Equipped<\/em>, Julia Higgins steers women through the steps needed to faithfully interpret, apply, and teach a passage of Scripture. By examining both the principles and practices of teaching of Bible exposition, Higgins seeks to prepare women in the local church to make and mold disciples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n B&H Academic. 224 pp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n First we must ask, Is a book that encourages and equips women to teach Scripture necessary or even appropriate? There\u2019s much discussion today about whether the Bible permits women to teach at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In an effort to submit to Scripture\u2019s teaching, many have unfortunately moved beyond what God\u2019s Word prescribes to impose unbiblical restrictions on women. To argue that women shouldn\u2019t teach Scripture in any formal setting misunderstands God\u2019s design for discipleship. Higgins argues that all followers of Christ, including women, are included in the Great Commission and its call to teach other disciples everything Christ commanded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, as Higgins explains, \u201cSome may conflate the spiritual gift of teaching with the office of pastor\/elder and draw a false conclusion that only men are to exercise the gift of teaching. While qualified men are responsible to teach and oversee the local church, that does not negate the fact that both men and women are given the spiritual gift of teaching.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n All followers of Christ, including women, are included in the Great Commission and its call to teach other disciples everything Christ commanded.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Spiritual gifts, including the gift of teaching, are given for the common good (1 Cor. 12:7<\/a>) and for building up the church (1 Cor. 14:12<\/a>). It follows that women are not only permitted to teach in appropriate settings but are needed for the growth and maturity of the body of Christ. This pattern is exemplified in the women in Scripture who are called to teach and commended for their teaching ministries, many of which Higgins references.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In light of the biblical call for women to teach, Higgins writes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n The end of the matter is this: women should be given a context where they can teach the Word in the local church. Why? Because Christ\u2019s church will grow and others will be discipled in the faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Her book, therefore, provides \u201ca pathway for women to exercise teaching gifts in the local church,\u201d and specifically focuses on training women to teach women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Higgins provides an accessible yet substantial foundation for teaching Scripture. She incorporates principles and strategies from some of the most highly respected Bible teachers of our day, giving readers a well-rounded introduction to teaching Scripture without information overload.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Higgins has a high view of God\u2019s Word and a Christ-centered approach that highlights the overarching storyline of the Bible. Readers will gain essential tools for expository teaching, learning to base the central teaching focus, supporting points, and application on the main point and structure of the text itself. Higgins even encourages this kind of verse-by-verse teaching for topical messages, so that the teacher is always communicating the text\u2019s intended purpose rather than taking passages out of context as proof texts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Empowered and Equipped<\/em> walks teachers through the process of creating a Bible exposition, from understanding the nature of Scripture all the way to writing an expositional outline. Higgins covers a wide range of content from theoretical to practical, including information on biblical genres, basic doctrinal issues, and hermeneutics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She spends a large portion of the book giving instruction on studying the Bible inductively, including specific strategies for observation, interpretation, generalization, and application and for how that study translates into instruction. The scope of the book makes it suitable for beginners\u2014although they may want to work through it more slowly\u2014as well as for those who have been studying and teaching Scripture for some time but are looking for a process to follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While Empowered and Equipped<\/em> covers an impressive amount of ground in a surprisingly manageable page count, readers may leave with unanswered questions. For example, the book includes almost no discussion of incorporating meaningful illustrations or transitions. On other topics, such as the discussion of genre or the overview of theological doctrines, Higgins gives only brief introductions. Anything more, however, would make the book overwhelmingly dense, and readers can continue to explore these topics in more depth as they see fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The church needs gifted women who not only speak on a short list of \u201cfemale-friendly\u201d topics stereotypical of women\u2019s conferences or retreats but who teach the whole counsel of God for the good of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The church needs gifted women who not only speak on a short list of \u2018female-friendly\u2019 topics but who teach the whole counsel of God for the good of the body.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Higgins appeals, \u201cThis call for women to be teachers of the Word arises from a place of care and concern for over half of the body, so that the church might grow in love for God and his Word, passing it along to others, so that they too might go and make disciples of all nations to the end that Christ\u2019s commands are observed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n As this book makes its way into the hands of more and more women who treasure the Bible and long to see it elevated and proclaimed, I pray the church will be edified and God\u2019s glory made known. I pray the teachers it equips will grow in their love for Christ even as the women they teach develop new excitement for God\u2019s Word. I pray that instead of feeling insecure and unprepared, women will be empowered and equipped to teach the Scriptures.<\/p>\n","_et_gb_content_width":"","_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"[]"},"categories":[33],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1924","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-care-counseling","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\nHow Perfectionism Can Manifest<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Perfectionists As Friends and Employees<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How You Can Fight Perfectionism<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Tip One:<\/strong> Practice critiquing your work when completing assignments or projects, noting your strengths and weaknesses.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Tip Two:<\/strong> Practice looking unbiasedly at your work and yourself by pretending to evaluate a peer or coworker and their work instead.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Tip Three:<\/strong> Turn your perceived \u201cfailure\u201d into a learning experience for yourself and a way to grow.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Moving Forward & Away from Perfectionism<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nEmpowered and Equipped: Biblical Exposition for Women Who Teach the Scriptures <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Should Women Teach the Bible?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Helpful Foundation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Empowered and Equipped to Teach God\u2019s Word<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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