Finding Courage
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)
One of the toughest realizations all Christians must come to is that we do not have to be perfect to be accepted by God. But once you realize this truth, you’ll learn to find the courage to press on and persevere when things aren’t perfect.
Consider how many times Scripture reminds us to be strong and courageous. Deuteronomy 31:6 says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
God tells us to be strong not because we have it all together, but because we don’t. You see, many Christians deserve an Academy Award for best actor or actress because they spend their entire lives trying to fool others and even fool themselves into thinking they’ve got it all together. They make think they’re fooling people into thinking they have it all figured out, but the truth is, most people already know that’s not the case.
This is why courage is so important, because courage helps us admit to others and to ourselves that we can be wrong somethings. We can make mistakes. We don’t have to be right 100% of the time. Thinking you have to be perfect introduces a mindset and attitude of pride, and as Scripture tells us, pride comes before the fall.
The myth of perfection prevents people from being self-critical and self-aware. It prevents them from being open to feedback because they need to be right about everything. But the truly courageous people are willing to ask for feedback and constructive criticism. They’re willing to admit they’re wrong, and they’re willing to make it known that they aren’t perfect.
When it comes to the struggle with perfectionism, courage is the best way to combat the temptation to look like you have it all together. So be strong and courageous, and remember that you don’t have to be perfect to be accepted by God.
One of the toughest realizations all Christians must come to is that we do not have to be perfect to be accepted by God. But once you realize this truth, you’ll learn to find the courage to press on and persevere when things aren’t perfect.
Consider how many times Scripture reminds us to be strong and courageous. Deuteronomy 31:6 says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
God tells us to be strong not because we have it all together, but because we don’t. You see, many Christians deserve an Academy Award for best actor or actress because they spend their entire lives trying to fool others and even fool themselves into thinking they’ve got it all together. They make think they’re fooling people into thinking they have it all figured out, but the truth is, most people already know that’s not the case.
This is why courage is so important, because courage helps us admit to others and to ourselves that we can be wrong somethings. We can make mistakes. We don’t have to be right 100% of the time. Thinking you have to be perfect introduces a mindset and attitude of pride, and as Scripture tells us, pride comes before the fall.
The myth of perfection prevents people from being self-critical and self-aware. It prevents them from being open to feedback because they need to be right about everything. But the truly courageous people are willing to ask for feedback and constructive criticism. They’re willing to admit they’re wrong, and they’re willing to make it known that they aren’t perfect.
When it comes to the struggle with perfectionism, courage is the best way to combat the temptation to look like you have it all together. So be strong and courageous, and remember that you don’t have to be perfect to be accepted by God.
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