How Do You Score?
Today's Scripture
"Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]"
John 14:27 AMP
Thoughts for Today
So how do you score as a perfectionist? Here are some things to consider . . .
Check all that apply:
______ 1. Because of fear, I often avoid participating in certain activities.
______ 2. When I sense I might experience failure in some important area, I become nervous and
anxious.
______ 3. I worry.
______ 4. I have unexplained anxiety.
______ 5. I am rarely satisfied with the quality of my work.
______ 6. I am compelled to justify my mistakes.
______ 7. I feel I must succeed in certain areas.
______ 8. I become depressed when I fail.
______ 9. I become angry with people who interfere with my attempts to succeed and, as a result, make me appear incompetent.
_____ 10. I am self-critical.
Consider this …
How can you use your answers? First - don't worry about a perfect score! Just ask the Lord to reveal any areas you may need to work on and pray about.
In today's scripture, Jesus reminds us the world's ways are different from his ways. When we look to the world for security, love, and approval, we will often be disappointed. Only in Jesus can we find total acceptance, unconditional love, real security, and everlasting peace. He tells us to stop being agitated, disturbed, fearful and intimidated. We should not measure ourselves by what the world thinks of us. We need to find peace in Jesus, knowing we are valuable because we are special to him - and always will be.
Prayer …
Lord, help me to stop being fearful about what others think of me, trying to earn love and approval by being perfect. I know you love me unconditionally. Help me to rest in the peace that comes only from you. In Jesus' name . . .
These thoughts were drawn from …
Seeing Yourself in God's Image: Overcoming Anorexia and Bulimia by Martha Homme, MA, LPC. Written by a counselor with experience helping those with eating disorders, this study is born from her own struggles in adolescence. The group challenges members to find their identity in Christ as they overcome this difficult struggle. This guide offers understanding of distorted body image, denial, and the family systems influence. It also explains how to break free of social pressures and how to restore the temple and tie the recovery process together. A companion booklet Seeing Your Loved One in God's Image, can be used as a quick reference guide dealing with issues associated with eating disorders. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.
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