Paul reflects on the effects of his meeting with Christ

Galatians 1:11 - 17
Paul tells of how he persecuted the Christians as a well-born, zealous Jew: he was their enemy:  And then: "But even before I was born, God had chosen me. He was kind and had decided to show me his Son, so that I would announce his message to the Gentiles. I didn’t talk this over with anyone. I didn’t say a word, not even to the men in Jerusalem who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went at once to Arabia, and afterwards I returned to Damascus."

That Damascus road experience. Wow. So awesome, so beyond words that he had to be alone to digest it all, to get to know this Jesus who he was persecuting.

My response, I'm inclined to think, would have been to rush off to friends to tell them all about it.

We sing of God's praises - to be overwhelmed with his presence would be more than I could bear...

Pleasing God, not men...

Galatians 1:10
"Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant."

Cross references:
Matthew 6:24
"No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Romans 1:1
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God--
1 Corinthians 10:33
even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
Ephesians 6:6
Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.
Philippians 1:1
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God's holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
1 Thessalonians 2:4
On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.

I fall into the trap of thinking that if I please God, then people will be pleased and like me and all will be comfortable and well.

And that does indeed often happen, because God's way is good and lovely and perfect and good and lovely behaviour changes the atmosphere and the culture and makes everyone feel more comfortable and happier and it's all good, good good....

But sometimes in my world the good God way goes against the culture and people aren't happy. Love God Greatly talks about this, too...
"when pleasing man trumps pleasing God, we have a serious problem on our hands....Ultimately, you and I live for an audience of One. God is our ultimate authority, and the gospel is our primary message.

Will we speak the one and only gospel in an effort to magnify the One who died to save our souls? Or will we hold back absolute truth, cowering under the pressure of pleasing man over pleasing God?

There’s a lost world in need of the gospel – people that we will interact with even this very day. Jesus, give us opportunity and your strength to boldly proclaim that YOU are the only way…"

Let me remember God first God first God first first first....FOCUS.

Galatians 1:6 - 9

So there we were - basking in God's love and mercy and grace and peace and all in our garden of belief is lovely....the gospel, the good news, saves us and restores our relationship with God and what more could we want?

And yet.... they turned away. Paul's exasperated diatribe reveals his shock and astonishment.

When I hear of folk slipping away, no longer attending church, living lives of selfishness, I just feel sadness tinged with inevitability.

And yet... this could be me, too: "You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News"

I take comfort in Paul's prayer of protection: that he has prayed that anyone who preaches a different message from the Gospel will be punished!  Not that I wish that on anyone, but it helps me concentrate on keeping focused on the Truth.

On Jesus.

Galatians

The salvation plan in a nutshell.

Paul is sent by God - not given the job by people.
"I was chosen to be an apostle by Jesus Christ and by God the Father, who raised him from death. No mere human chose or appointed me to this work."I too am sent by God, even if he has used humans to appoint me to a position...it is to him that I am responsible and answerable to. HE is my line manager, my boss.

Paul is inclusive: he includes all the believes with him in the letter: the implication is that they agree with him and endorse what he says as he writes to the churches in Galatia.

Before all else, he wishes grace and peace for them. he wants God's kindness and freedom from anxiety, worry and strife.
Grace: derived from pleasing; favour or goodwill: kindness, kindliness, love, benignity; condescension.
a manifestation of favour, especially by a superior: forgiveness, charity, mercifulness.
mercy; clemency; pardon: lenity, leniency, reprieve.

but for the grace of God, under less fortunatecircumstances:

But for the grace of God, the brick that just fell fromthe roof would have hit me on the head!

by the grace of God, thankfully; fortunately:

By the grace of God, I won't have to deal with tax returns for another year.


to lose favor; be discredited:
He fell from grace when the boss found out he had lied.
.
have the grace to, to be so kind as to:
Would you have the grace to help, please?
.
in someone's good /bad graces, regarded withfavor (or disfavor) by someone:
It is a wonder that I have managed to stay in her goodgraces this long.

with bad grace, reluctantly; grudgingly:
He apologized, but did so with bad grace.
Also, with a bad grace.

with good grace, willingly; ungrudgingly:
She took on the extra work with good grace.

The opposite is to fall from grace,  Theology. to relapse into sin or disfavor. Paul does NOT want this for the Galatians.

And so Paul reminds us "Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. 5 All glory to God forever and ever!" (The Message)

To God be the glory. For ever. And ever. This day. This hour. This minute.

Psalm 119

I read through Psalm 119 over the summer, paraphrasing each set of stanzas to begin with a different letter of the alphabet.  Not sure I really got the most benefit by doing so: perhaps I should just have followed the 'Love God Greatly' study, with its pretty memory verse cards.

Psalm 119

1 - 8

Amazingly blessed are those who stay on the tracks with God’s rules and laws.

Aiming for God’s best at all times, we strive to obey

Achieving, as we do so, near perfection.

Again and again you remind us to follow your regulations.

Abiding in your ways is my desire:

After all, thinking about your commands will help stop me from doing foolish things.

I applaud you for giving me a guide to follow for living a truthful life.

Acquiescing, I need you with me – I cannot do it alone.

9 - 1

By living according to your Word, God, I am helped to live purely.

Besieging you wholeheartedly, I don’t want to stray away from what you have told me to do.

By treasuring your words, I’m kept from sinning against you.

Be praised, Lord, and teach me what you want.

Bragging about everything you have said

Brings me to rejoicing, as if I’d suddenly inherited a great deal of money.

Brooding over your guidelines for a good life

Blesses me: I am so happy and so I determine NOT to neglect what you have told me to do.

17 - 24

Care for me kindly, Lord, so that I can live well, doing what you say.

Clear my vision so that I can see

Communicate your commands, as I am a stranger here

Consumed with longing for your laws all the time, I know those who

Contradict you, you rebuke.

Care for me when others scorn me for trying to obey your rules, for I

Concentrate on keeping your commands,

Considering your laws to be delightful, for they

Counsel me with great wisdom.

25 – 32

Dusty death is what my soul clings to, so give me life according to your word!

Declaring my troubles, you answered my prayers: now teach me your laws.

Don’t let me fail to understand what you teach; I want to ponder the marvellous things you have done.

Downcast with sorrow is my soul: please strengthen and encourage me!

Deceitful ways need to be kept away from me – be gracious to me, teach me what to do right.

Deciding on being faithful, I have set my heart on your law.

Determinedly following your ways, Lord, don’t let me be ashamed.

Dedicated to learn what you want me to do, help me understand more.

33 - 40

Educate me, Lord, to understand your law, and I will treasure it.

Enlighten my heart so that I can follow and obey wholeheartedly.

Encourage me to keep on keeping on, because that is my pleasure

Enable me to focus on your words and not to selfish gain

Enlarge my vision from worthless things and give me life in your ways

Confirm to your servant your promise that you may be feared

Excuse me from there reproach I am afraid of, for your rules are good

I am enchanted with your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!

41 – 48

Fill me with your steadfast love, your salvation, as you have promised,

For I trust your word and will have an answer for the person who torments me.

For my hope is in your rules, don’t take the word of truth out of my mouth.

Forever I will keep your law, continually, no stopping,

Finding your commands so that I can live freely, and, in

Front of those in authority, speaking about what you have done without shame,

For I find my delight in your commandments, which I love.

Facing toward your commandments, I WILL lift up my hands and I WILL meditate on what you have laid down in law.

49 - 56

Graciously remember the hopeful words you have given me, your servant.

Given life in your promise, I am comforted in my troubles.

Great is the derision I receive from the insolent, but I don’t turn away from your law.

Good is the encouragement I get from your rules, Lord.

Greedy, wicked people who disregard you fill me with indignation.

Going anywhere, your God songs – your words – sing in my heart.

Getting through the night, I remember your name: your character and identity, and keep your law.

Gracious blessing has fallen to me, that I have kept your precepts.

57 - 64

Having God is enough for me: I promise to keep your words.

Heartfelt, I beg for your favour; be gracious to me according to your promise.

Having paid careful attention as you lead me, I follow closely.

Hastening, I don’t delay to keep your commandments,

Holding on to your law, even as evil people try to trap me.

How fair your laws are! They make me wake up and praise you in the middle of the night.

Happy am I to choose as my friends, everyone who worships you and follows your teachings.

How amazing that your love is seen all over the world – teach me to follow your wisdom.

65 – 72 It sounds like it’s all about me...but really, it’s all about You, Lord.

I am your servant, Lord, and you have kept your promise to treat me with kindness.
I trust your commands, so give me wisdom and good sense.
I obey now, though once you corrected me for not obeying you.
I want you to teach me your laws, for you are kindhearted, and you do good things.
 I follow your teachings wholeheartedly, though my reputation is being ruined by conceited liars.
 I find happiness in your law, but those liars have no sense.
 It did me good when you corrected me, because it taught me to study your laws.
 I would rather obey you than to have a thousand pieces of silver and gold.

73 – 80

Just make me wise enough to learn what you have commanded, because I am made by you.

Joyfully I trust your word, so may others who also believe rejoice in you.

Justice was yours when you punished me: I know, Lord, that your decisions are correct.

Just comfort me with your love, as you have promised, because I serve you!

Joy is my desire when I obey your law; have mercy and let me live.

Judge the arrogant and put them to shame for wronging me without cause, because I have chosen to study your teaching.

Enjoin those who fear you to turn to me for evidence of your wise guidance, so they will learn to obey your rules.

Journeying on with my head held high and not be shamed, I want to be whole and holy, soul and body.

81 – 88

Keenly my soul faints with longing for your salvation,  but I have put my hope in your word.
Keenly my eyes look for your promise, almost failing:  I say, “When will you comfort me?”
I know your word, even though I am worn out from waiting.    When will you punish my persecutors?
he arrogant dig pits to trap me,
    contrary to your law.
Keep me safe, for I am being persecuted without cause: all your commands are trustworthy;

Killing me was their desire, but I have not forsaken your precepts.
Kindly, in your unfailing love preserve my life, that I may obey the statutes of your mouth.

89 - 96

Long-lasting as the heavens is your word, God: it lasts as long as the heavens.

Lasting through all generations is your faithfulness, just as you created the earth to stand firm.

Laws you have made are still in effect today, for all things serve you.

Loving your law brought me joy and helped me not to give up.

Life-saving are your wise words, and I will never forget the advice you gave me.

Let me belong to you: I have respected your laws, so keep me safe.

Licentious people lie in ambush to destroy me, but I’m only concerned with your plans for me.

Limits exist to everything because nothing is completely perfect except your teachings.

97 -  104

Meditating on your law all day, because I love what you have shown me.

Mulling over your words makes me wiser than my enemies.

Musing upon and absorbing your advice has made me become even smarter than my teachers
More understanding than those older than I are comes through doing what you tell me.

Minding your word is what I do, instead of following a way that leads to trouble.

Making detours from the route you laid out would be foolish, for you gave me such good directions.

Mouthwateringly sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth,

Making me understand your laws and so I hate lies.

105 – 112

Now your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Needing to make sure I follow your righteous laws, I solemnly promise to do so.

Needled with pain, I ask you to save me, Lord, according to your word.

Now accept my praise of you and teach me your laws.

Night and day I take my life in my hands, but I will not forget your law.

Nasty people try to trap me, but I do not turn my back on your teachings.

Never do I want to lose what you have taught me, for your laws are my treasure and source of joy.

Now and for ever, I set my heart on keeping your decrees.

113 – 120

Oh, how I hate double-minded people, but I love your law.

Only you are my place of safety and my shield.  Your word is my only hope.

Out of here, you evildoers, that I may keep the commands of my God!
 Outstretch your arm to hold me up, my God, according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed.
 Orders from you,  I will always have regard for: uphold me, and I will be delivered;
Overall, you reject all who stray from your decrees. They are only fooling themselves.
Obeying your laws is my passion: for you skim off the wicked of the earth like scum.
Over my whole body are shivers of fear, as I think of you and the way you judge.

121 – 128

Pursuing your law is what I have done: don’t hand me over to those who want to mistreat me.

Preserve me, and don’t let me be harmed by those conceited people.

Pursuing your promise to rescue me, my eyes are strained and weary, 

Please show me your love and teach me your decrees.
Perspicacity is what I, your servant, need, so that I can understand your statutes.
Present is the time for you to act, Lord, because your law is being broken.
Precious are your commands  more than gold, more than pure gold,
Perfect are your precepts: so I hate every wrong path.

129 – 136

Quite wonderful are your laws, and so I obey them.

Quick understanding is given to ordinary people by the teaching of your word.

Quenching my thirst with your commands, I open my mouth wide with expectation.

Quiet my heart with your mercy, as you are kind to everyone who loves your name.

Quickly guide my steps so I will not be overcome with evil.

Quell the oppression of evil people so that I can obey your commands.

Quietly smile at me and teach me your decrees.

Quickly, I break out into a storm of weeping when anyone disobeys you.

137 – 144

Righteous are you, Lord, and your laws are right,

Reliable and trustworthy in the extreme.

Reaching for your word, I am frustrated when my enemies neglect your teachings.
Reliable are your promises: that is why I love them,

Remembering your laws,  although I am lowly and despised.
Right, true and everlasting is your law.
Reacting under pressure and stress, your commands nevertheless delight me.

Rules made by you are always fair; help me understand them so that I may live.

145 – 152

Seeking you, Lord, I pray; please answer me.  I promise to obey your laws.

Save me,  so I can follow your rules.

Sunrise comes, but I have already prayed for your help, and I put my hope in what you have said.

Staying awake through the night, I think about your promise.

Show that you love me, Lord, and answer my prayer. Please do the right thing and save my life.

Schemes devised by the wicked, who are far from your law, are near.
 Still, you are near, Lord, and all your commands are trusted and TRUE.   

Studying your laws, I found out long ago  that you made them to last forever.

153 -  160

Turn your eyes to my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten your law.

Take my side! Argue my case! Protect my life as you promised.

The wicked are far from rescue, for they do not bother with your decrees.

Trusting in your rules and laws for my life, I ask for your great mercy on me.

Troubled and persecuted by many, I still keep your laws unswervingly.

Those unfaithful people who refuse to obey you are disgusting to me.

Turn you memory to how I love your laws,  and show your love for me  by keeping me safe.

True and trusted are all your words; all your teachings will last forever.

161 – 168

Unfounded are the reasons that powerful people harass me,  but my heart trembles only at your word.

Unswervingly, I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure.

Unchanging, I hate and detest falsehood  but I love your law.

Unendingly I praise you for your righteous laws.
Uncountable peace have those who love your law,  and nothing can make them stumble.

Unfailingly, I follow your commands, for you are my only hope.
Unfailingly, I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly.
Unfailingly, I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you.

169 – 176

Well may my cry be heard by you: give me the discerning mind you promised.

Well may you listen to my prayer; rescue me as you promised.

Willingly will praise flow from my lips, for you have taught me your decrees.

Willingly will my tongue sing about your word, for all your commands are right.

Wish to protect me, because I have chosen to obey your laws.
Waiting for you to save me, Lord, I am happy because of your Law.

Yet you will keep me alive, so I can praise you, and let me find help in your teachings.
Yes, I AM your servant, but I have wandered away like a lost sheep. Please come after me, because I have not forgotten your teachings.
     

Too much...refocus

There has been too much going on in my head and heart for so long that I am really becoming #confused.com.

So some good reminders of who I am and what I am here for today: to glorify God through prayer and purpose.

This song has been running through my head, as I try, intentionally, to take Sabbath rest.

Take time to be holy,
speak oft with thy Lord;
abide in him always,
and feed on his word.
Make friends of God's children,
help those who are weak,
forgetting in nothing
his blessing to seek.

Take time to be holy,
the world rushes on;
spend much time in secret
with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus,
like him thou shalt be;
thy friends in thy conduct
his likeness shall see.

Take time to be holy,
let him be thy guide,
and run not before him,
whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow,
still follow the Lord,
and, looking to Jesus,
still trust in his word.

Take time to be holy,
be calm in thy soul,
each thought and each motive
beneath his control.
Thus led by his spirit
to fountains of love,
thou soon shalt be fitted
for service above.

To be holy. To be other, to be set apart, to be focused.  These notes are from Louie Giglio's talk: 

Louie Giglio  http://passioncitychurch.com/watch/message/Msb63Y28jkBV                    

We all need direction and confidence. We all need to rest and consider what God has done.

God wants to fill me and send me out for a purpose for HIS glory. This is the mission of God, the BIG dream, for my life.

Before God wants to send me to the ends of the earth, he wants me to look back at what God has done.  GOD CAME THROUGH!  Remember the old ways... the things God has done.

Remembering gives confidence that God HAS done it and will do in the future: prevents arrogance (I can do it myself) and fear (I can’t do it).

God is amazing. He neither slumbers nor sleeps – he is working in the background while we sleep.  We need to take a Sabbath: rest, trust, cease... to put the dream in Jesus’ hands.  Be still and know that I am God..

If God gives me a dream, he will give me what I need to accomplish it.  What God calls me to, God provides for...what God plans for, God pays for...

I just need to remember. Remember WHO God is, WHAT his purposes are. Remember To be holy. To be other, to be set apart, to be focused. Remember to take Sabbath rest and to refocus.

Waiting - helpful notes

Waiting : Alie Stibbe Day by Day With God 7^th December 2014

Psalm 27                                              Seek His face

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord: be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Wanting things done quickly – out of a deep-seated sense of insecurity... if everything was ordered, in control and sorted out, then nothing could hurt.  BUT The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear?...  If the Lord makes me wait, it si because he is working on thins ehind the scenes that I don’t need to know about:  BE STRONG: SEEK HIS FACE; WAIT.

Isaiah 40:27 – 31                               Latent strength

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings of eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.

Wait = ‘qavah’ – connations of strength and the tension felt during endurance. A rope has latent strength, not seen until it is used.

Mounting up, running and walking are like the three strands of a rope in action: accessing spiritual power, physical and mental stamina from God.

Psalm 130:1 – 5                                 There is waiting...and waiting  

Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord: Lord, hear my voice...I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.

Wait = ‘qavah’ – endurance through an extended period of soul-felt anguish.

v 5 ‘wait’ = ‘yachal’= hope, wait expectantly, trust... for God, to keep his word and be true to his character.

While we wait/endure in the Lord’s strength, we wait’trust that he will come through for us.

Psalm 130:6 -8                                   As sure as the sunrise

I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning...

Hold on in there and watch in wonder: the darkenss will lighten in God’s good time.

Psalm 33                                              Timely delays

But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope (yachal) is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope (chakah) for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.

Expectant waiting (yachal) needs the added knowledge of how to ‘tarry’ (chakah). To wait for God’s timing.

Psalm 37:1 – 9                                    Waiting in silence

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Wait = damam’ = be still, be silent.  Tarry silently, without grumbling...

Putting our concerns into the Lord’s hands and renewing our hope in him frees us up to live our day with our hearts and minds at rest, so that we can do the tasks that need our immediate attention positively and constructively.

Exodus 14:13 – 14  (at the Red Sea) do not be afraid..stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will brin g you today.. The Lord will fight for you: you need only to be still.

Psalm 38:9 – 16                                 The God who answers

All my longings lie open before you, Lord: my sighing is not hidden from you... Lord, I wait for You: you will answer, lord my God.

Put it all down in a journal...wait in loaded silence for the Lord...wait for his whisper.

Lamentations 3:24 – 33                  What are you waiting for?

I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance: therefore, I will hope in him!” The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.

Are my longings God’s intentions or my own? The human heart is ‘deceitful above all things’ (Jeremiah 17:9)...nothing about the future is certain. The only certainties we have as we await are the promises in God’s word that pertain to his person and character.

When all is stripped away... the Lord is enough. He is sufficient and everything else is secondary.. So when you do not know what you are waiting for, wait for the Lord: he is and has eerything we need. We can be expectant about our future without knowing the details if we seek to stay close to him, and quietly trust that he has everything in hand.

Numbers 9:1 – 14                          Hold your horses

Moses answered them, “Wait until I find out what the Lord commands concerning you.”

Wait = ‘amad’ = physically stand still.  “Stop right there!” – policeman with his hand up!

By waiting, the solution to our indignant complaint becomes clearer and the Lord’s will in the situation can be done.

Joshua 18:1 – 10                             Caught in the headlights

So Joshua said to the Israelites: “How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the Lord, the god of your ancestors, has given you?”

Waiting can turn from being a spiritual discipline into an aspect of fear.  The Israelites were frightened to go into the promised land.

The reasons most people fail to take a course of action is fear: fear of failure, fear of being rejected, fear that something might not live up to what we expected, or fear of making the wrong decision.

If we don’t decide to make a move one way or another, like the rabbit sitting in the headlights, we are going to get squashed. It took courage for the spies to go into the promised land and surey what lay ahead.... Is the Lord encouraging you to look ahead and see what he has waiting for you if you had the courage at least to take a look?

Ruth 3                                                 Bottleneck moments

Then Naomi said, “Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens.”

Remember this verse, when part of waiting on the Lord has involved depending on other people to make a decision or do something.

Wait = ‘yashab’ = to sit down, to dwell/have one’s abode.   We need to ‘dwell’, to set up camp in the presence of the Lord...abide in the Lord’s love, not in anxious thoughts.

Psalm 106:1 – 18                               Don’t have a goldfish brain

And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them. They soon forgot his works: they waited not for his counsel: but lusted exceedingly in the wilderness...And (God) gave them their request: but sent leanness into their soul.

We forget... what God has already done and that the Lord kows the plans he has foer us and has promised us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11)

If the Lord calls you to wait, do not hasten to drag the perceived endpoint to the place where you are: the result will almost certainly be leanness of soul or a degree of spiritual death. Tarry instead for the Lord’s blessing.

Isaiah 26:1 – 9                                  Obey while you wait

Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.

While waiting, be obedient: just keep on doing the right thing, one small step at a time, one day at a time.  Stay rested and concentrate – make sure I stay within his ways by doing the right thing while I wait.

Psalm 5                                              Wait deliberately

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice: in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.

Wait = ‘tsaphah’ like  a watchman from a tower, or like a prophet who looks out across time and sees the future as God revewals it to him. Also used of the noble wife who watches over the affairs of her household (Proverbs 31:27)

Meet with the Lord in the morning, not vacantly or routinely but to survey the day with eyes enlightened by his Holy Spirit, so that we can pray, be open to the Lord’s leading and plan effectively.

Intentional waiting prepares us for what the Lord has prepared for us so that everything we do ushers in his kingdom a little bit more.

Grief

Bob Rasmussen shared this powerful image of grief....

Words of wisdom to remember

Some words of wisdom - oh, to remember this when I need it!

Not being perfect

Just come across a promo for this book:
Breaking Up with Perfect: Kiss Perfection Good-Bye and Embrace the Joy God Has in Store for You by Amy Carroll

Looks good.

Trying to be perfect is the biggest lie there is: only God is perfect, and we try to be God! I find this perfectionism rears its ugly head in so many areas of my life, in subtle, seemingly insignificant ways. One of the worst is in any kind of conflict, whether with people, ideas of how I look, how I spend my time...deep inside is a desire to 'get it right' and that colours my choices and responses.

The ONLY remedy I have found for this is to recognise this desire to be perfect for the ugliness it is and remind myself that I can only 'be' perfect because of Jesus. He sees me for who I am and loves me anyway: I don't have to DO or BE anything except the best I can. And that, though definitely not perfect, is definitely Good Enough. If I'm Good Enough for God, I can be Good Enough for me!

And, when paralysed by an attack of perfectionism, I rather like this advice.

Everything Is Awful and I'm Not Okay: questions to ask myself when I'm down.

Are you hydrated? If not, have a glass of water. 

Have you eaten in the past three hours? If not, get some food — something with protein, not just simple carbs. Perhaps some nuts or hummus? 

Have you showered in the past day? If not, take a shower right now. 

Have you stretched your legs in the past day? If not, do so right now. If you don’t have the energy for a run or trip to the gym, just walk around the block, then keep walking as long as you please. If the weather’s bad, drive to a big store  and go on a brisk walk through the aisles you normally skip. 

Have you said something nice to someone in the past day? Do so, whether online or in person. Make it genuine; wait until you see something really wonderful about someone, and tell them about it. 

Have you moved your body to music in the past day? If not, dance around the room for the length of an upbeat song. 

Have you cuddled a living being in the past two days? If not, do so. Don’t be afraid to ask for hugs from friends or friends’ pets. Most of them will enjoy the cuddles too; you’re not imposing on them. 

If daytime: are you dressed? If not, put on clean clothes that aren’t pajamas. Give yourself permission to wear something special, whether it’s a funny t-shirt or a pretty dress. 

If nighttime: are you sleepy and fatigued but resisting going to sleep? Put on pajamas, make yourself cozy in bed with a teddy bear and the sound of falling rain, and close your eyes for fifteen minutes — no electronic screens allowed. If you’re still awake after that, you can get up again; no pressure. 

Do you feel ineffective? Pause right now and get something small completed, whether it’s responding to an e-mail, loading up the dishwasher, or packing your gym bag for your next trip. Good job! 

Do you feel unattractive? Take a goddamn selfie. Your friends will remind you how great you look, and you’ll help fight society’s restrictions on what beauty can look like. 

Do you feel paralyzed by indecision? Give yourself ten minutes to sit back and figure out a game plan for the day. If a particular decision or problem is still being a roadblock, simply set it aside for now, and pick something else that seems doable. Right now, the important part is to break through that stasis, even if it means doing something trivial. 

Have you over-exerted yourself lately — physically, emotionally, socially, or intellectually? That can take a toll that lingers for days. Give yourself a break in that area, whether it’s physical rest, taking time alone, or relaxing with some silly entertainment. 

Have you waited a week? Sometimes our perception of life is skewed, and we can’t even tell that we’re not thinking clearly, and there’s no obvious external cause. It happens. Keep yourself going for a full week, whatever it takes, and see if you still feel the same way then. You’ve made it this far, and you will make it through. You are stronger than you think.