Calling All Perfectionists

by February 19, 2017

Living With Purpose: Week 8

Sometimes we wait for the circumstances to be perfect before we take a leap of faith. I’m not a good waiter. I like things to happen fast. Once I get my mind made up, I like to make an action plan and leap with all my might.

Sometimes it’s good. It means I act in faith and let God work out the details as I go.

Other times, it’s complete foolishness. I jump ahead of God and get into deep water that I cannot navigate on my own, and then I wonder why I feel like I’m drowning.

I know God is in control, but sometimes I like to try to take matters into my own hands. Any other control freaks out there?

I don’t like to admit that I’m a control freak, but I do like the toilet paper roll hanging the correct way. And if it’s wrong, I fix it.

I also like to drink coffee first thing in the morning before I hear anyone’s voice speak to me. It’s not that I don’t love my people, it’s just, I like control.

I like to know where my children are, who they are with, what they are doing, and that they are safe.

I would love to have a five-year plan and know what the future holds, but God seems to only give me one day at a time. It’s like he expects me to trust completely (wink).

I’m sure you can relate in some way. Consider your own list of things you prefer a certain way. Think about the things you wish God would write in the sky for you. When that thing gets out of your control, there is only one way to deal – panic or trust. But if we’re honest, panic is real and we all have our moments. It’s that fast pace walking or that trembling feeling inside that won’t go away. Maybe it’s a gut wrenching desire for something more, something tangible. It’s that deep anguish for answers and explanations.

I don’t always panic on the outside, but inside I can let the unknowns unearth deep seeded doubt that bothers me until I can’t sleep at night.

Have you ever been there? You toss and turn and wonder how things will work out?

Many plans are in a man’s heart, But the counsel of the LORD will stand. Proverbs 19:21

How do we live with purpose when we don’t know whether to take the leap or sit tight a little longer?

 

Living With Purpose

1. Be still.

As I sat in church with my family last week, I told my youngest to “Be still” a few times. As I got frustrated thinking, “He knows better.” God touched my heart and said, “So do you.” I do know better, yet I often get antsy wondering what is going to happen next. So I wiggle my way into a comfortable place where I feel like I have control. God is constantly reminding me, that He controls my life, not me. So for now, I just need to “Be still.”

2. Be satisfied.

Contentment. It really comes down to this. Am I content with God? I’m learning life is not about the stuff we hold or the possessions we collect. Those things are just a distraction from the main thing. When I learn to be content with God and Him alone, I learn to be satisfied in whatever stage of life I am in. There may be storms or struggles or strife, but with God, all of it is bearable.

When we begin to see the blessings amidst the burdens of life, we begin to learn the truth about contentment.

Contentment isn’t something we grow into or eventually accomplish, it’s a choice we choose to make. When we choose God’s presence over the pleasures of this world, we experience the peace of contentment.

3. Be surrendered.

Here we go again. Surrender. It’s where God keeps pointing me as I learn about living with purpose. Without it, we will constantly struggle. Surrender of my life means I give it all over to God’s complete control. It means I stop stressing, and salvaging the things I think I want.

Surrender is satisfaction in action.

Do you long to live with purpose and see God work mightily in your life? There is a way and it’s so simple:

Be still.
Be satisfied.
Be surrendered.

When we choose this way, this road, this path, and this life, we choose God’s Word, God’s reason, God’s peace, and God’s love. And it truly is magnificent. It’s contentment.

Contentment is critical to living a life of purpose. Perfection is a prison for people who only dream of doing something someday.

Let’s live with purpose this week!

Don’t wait and don’t rush, do life at God’s pace.

Love & Blessings,

Micah

This post is a part of a series! Check out the other posts:

Week 1 – Silent Seasons
Week 2 – Season of Blessings
Week 3 – Seasons to Stop
Week 4 – Seasons of Uncertainty
Week 5 – Seasons When You Feel Shattered
Week 6 – Seasons When You Feel Inadequate
Week 7 – Seasons When You Feel Lonely

Here is where I am sharing this post this week.

About Micah Maddox

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  2. I struggle with perfectionism too, Micah. You give great suggestions on how to overcome, especially about being satisfied. Visiting from #mommymoments this week!

  3. Oddly enough, I never connected my perfectionism with my distaste for waiting. This was so helpful Micah! As I’m in a waiting season and like you tend to be more than happy to leap in full force faith, I’m grateful for every reminder that in waiting, God calls us to be be still, be content, and be surrendered- because I’m tempted to jump ahead of Him. Thank you for this!! And I love this definition “Surrender is satisfaction in action.”

    1. I’m right there with you girl! I’m so glad this encouraged you! As you wait, take a deep breath and know that God is at work. I hope it’s a great week and I pray your waiting season is over soon!

  4. What a sweet reminder for me to “rest in God and wait patiently for Him.” Just like the apostle Paul, I can learn contentment – which I believe comes from having a grateful heart. Surrender isn’t always easy, but when I see how much God loves me and only wants what’s best for me, I can trust His plan over any plans that I have. Just like the commenter above, I like your wording “Surrender is satisfaction in action.”

    1. I agree that being grateful is the key. It’s when I stop being thankful for what I already have and start getting my eyes on something better, bigger, and grander that live striving for more. I’m learning God’s presence is the more I need.

    1. Thanks for the invitation! I just shared it over on your blog, Sherry! I hope it encourages someone to live satisfied in Jesus.

  6. Control freak here too Micah! My ability to think I’m controlling things has got me into big trouble:)
    I love your tips! I need to trust more, that’s my biggest problem. My word this year is trust, letting go of control and perfectionism! Wish me luck :)
    Lovely post! Sharing it!
    #InspireMeMonday

    1. Oh Julie! I love your word! That was my word a couple years ago. This year it’s probably no surprise my word is surrender. As you lean into trusting more and letting go, know that I’m over here learning to do the same thing. We can do it! With God’s help, may this year be the most surrendered year we’ve ever lived! Hugs!

  7. Yes, and I’m reminded once again to remain in Him. It’s ‘so hard! Our picture of productivity doesn’t often involve remaining or waiting! Great post, Micah. Always encouraging! Happy Tuesday!
    Megs #RaRaLInkup

  8. Thank you! This perfetionist/control freak needed to hear this today! Be still. Be satisfied. Be surrendered. I’m going to have to write that down and hang it on the fridge with all my kids’ artwork!

  9. Ugh, I hear you calling my name, and am thankful, once again, for the truth of this post as we (together!) trust God for a right balance between excellence that glorifies Him and white-knuckle control that seeks to glorify ME — and drive every one else in the room crazy!
    Thanks, Micah!

  10. Yep. I can certainly relate! Thank you for the reminders–especially the ‘be still’ one. I’m a planner and a plotter and I’ve had to learn to just roll with God’s plan.

  11. So so good, Micah! Still. Satisfied. Surrendered. May I take time to be those three today, and every day! P.S. I think putting the toilet paper right is perfectly reasonable…God is all about order and not chaos, you know! (wink wink). Blessings!

  13. I love the part about control. I completely relate to that. A couple of years ago, I found myself in my kitchen praying for my husband. In those moments, God revealed to me that I had been with-holding a complete giving of myself to my husband because I was waiting for him to change. At that time, God asked me to surrender that control to him. It wasn’t the hardest thing I’d ever done. I surrendered him to God and said “I will love him whether he ever changes to be what I think he should be.” Even now, I have to remind myself of it often especially when I think he isn’t being “spiritual” enough. P.S. I totally change the toilet paper when it’s hanging the wrong way. ;)

  17. Wow! Such profound wisdom here, Micah! I love how God whispered to your heart, ‘So do you.’ And I love the practical yet deeply spiritual application of ‘Be still. Be satisfied. Be surrendered.’ The struggle is real, but God is always there ready and waiting to take our burdens and give us rest. Thanks for the great reminder.

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