ManageYourEmotionsBook8.5x5.5_RevJULY.indd

of thousands. A misinterpretation of the Law in the NewTestament is an- other reason behind a faulty view of God.The Jews were “weary and heavy-laden” because of their attempt to please God by keeping the Law. Most rejected the “rest for their souls” Jesus could offer (Mat- thew 11:28). Later, Paul chastised the Galatians for trying to perfect through their works the salvation they had obtained through the Spirit (see Galatians 3:3).Tragically, these faulty views of God are just as prevalent today and form the basis of most false religions. A second key cause of perfectionism is one being raised in a hyper-critical home environment. Most children growing up in an atmosphere of over-protection and unrealistic expectations carry scars into adulthood.Throw in some mental manipulation and emotional abuse and you create a fertile environment for everything from perfectionism to destruction. For example, a Florida teenager recently killed his mother in her sleep over a dispute involving a bad grade in school. A third issue that often leads to perfectionism is a specific, painful event from the past. This is different from the above in that it probably happened outside the home and is usually limited to a single event. Someone comes to mind, who was held back in third grade, but is now an effective, dedicated teacher. Displaying perfectionist tendencies, this person is constantly going the second mile, over- achieving and overcompensating for that emotionally catastrophic event that took place a half century ago. I’ve read enough biographies and watched enough documen- taries to know this scenario has played out countless times in all walks of life. As Scarlett O’Hara said in Gone with theWind, “As God is my witness, I’ll never be hungry again!” 98 Having discussed the symptoms and causes of perfectionism, let’s conclude by examining the following ways to combat per- fectionism.

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