the blue door

If you hear a man rail at the Bible, you can usually conclude that he never reads it.”
― Charles H. Spurgeon

I’ve been living in the book of James – chapter one specifically. He says that we should “let patience have its perfect work, that we may be perfect and entire lacking in nothing (Ja.1:4 American Standard Version).  

But I get hung up on the word perfect.

I have perfectionistic tendencies. I desire to do every single thing I do without fail or flaw. I want to be the best mom and the best wife and the best student and the best Nana and the best employee. You get the picture. I want to live up to my status as the apple of God’s eye. (We can’t, by the way.) But doesn’t best imply comparison?   

It’s not really perfectionism I’m bent toward though. Certain seasons of my life can prove it.

It’s extremism.

When I realize how not-perfect I am, I crumble inside and wallow around with Netflix and chocolates until I can’t feel the self-loathing anymore.

But I’m growing.

The more I study God’s Word, the more mental muscle I build against my own imperfections. The more I study God’s Word, the stronger I make my fortress against my own wacky emotions. The ups and downs don’t come like they used to. I accept my flaws and know that inside God’s love, I am beautiful – fearfully and wonderfully made.

So are you woman of God.

His Word says so.  

But what I am without God’s Word is lacking.

And here I am right back at James who says I can be made perfect and lack nothing.

I looked it up because I’m a nerd like that. (Discovery Bible software is a great tool!)

     My favorite (and there was a lot) was R. Trench (5046) Teleios is the Greek Word. “Having attained the full limits of stature, strength, and mental power”.

     When I am in His Word, I learn principles that give me authority over my emotional whims and my character defects.

      His Word is a lamp unto my feet. It guides me through the dark caverns of my own mind and will and lights up a better path.

      Oh and that word lacking…I looked it up too. (Bible Hub this time.)

      It nearly knocked the breath out of me. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon says “to be left behind … inferior.

     Strong’s says, “to fall short of some standard”.

     SMH.

     When we get in the Word, we see the truth about the world’s lies about who we are and who we are supposed to be.

     It’s time to get real.

     Stop comparing and seeking approval of people. My pastor would say, “if you haven’t started, don’t. If you have, stop it now!”

     It’s not the time to be quiet any more about the issue.

     Girl read your bible.

     Every emotional whim, every condemning thought, every fear, and every ounce of inferiority will shatter under its power.

     We can be made perfect.

     We can be made whole.