The pressures of perfection
Hebrews 12:22–23 (NKJV) But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect…
We all go through life with some measure of uncertainty. Navigating with the eyes of faith will sometimes produce some pressure to perform especially when people do not know that there is no success without much travail. Here are some of the things some of us are going through and what could be done to get through.
Temptation
Ephesians 6:13 (NLT) Use every piece of God’s armour to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm.
Temptation could come in any form; sex-related, drugs, old habits, new vices, new age conformity and other forms of peer pressure. In our rapidly changing society, we have all sorts of vices marketed strategically at us in exchange for our souls. We must learn that as soldiers, we must never lose sight of the purpose. They will revile you for “not being cool” but you will laugh last (not because you did not get the joke but because the jokes were actually on them). You are stronger than you think to handle the pressure. Hold your ground soldier.
Persecution
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV) And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
People thought that Apostle Paul was dealing with an addiction or sickness when he wrote the aforementioned verse. He was undergoing persecution in his ministry (purpose). People will often judge you based on your past: the ones who do not know you will judge you at face value before they even get to know you. And what could be worse is that you may never have a chance to defend yourself. Know that God’s grace (favour in this context) will help you through. Do not beg for help, look within. Hold on friend, in the end, it shall speak.
Purpose
Romans 8:28 (NKJV) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Many a time, the hunger that cries from within us are the birth pains of purpose but we misconstrue it for some inadequacy which stems out of the insecurities lodged deep within us.
When you stand in front of the mirror, you see only you, not other people. Refuse to be threatened by other people’s progress: instead, rejoice genuinely with them because yours is in the works. The pressures of perfection concerning purpose will help you find your sound (message/purpose). It will also help you define “success” because to some people success is in the amount of cash they have stashed: to others, it is in the value they have given to humanity.
The verse says All things will work for your good (as a Christian) provided you have a relationship with God and you are at the centre of the plans and purposes of God (through constant communion with the Spirit of God). That Jesus is in your boat does not mean there will not be storms. The strategy here is in the consistency of your faith. When you live out your purpose focusing on God, the pressure to perform before men will leak out like a rapidly deflating tire. Now, breathe.
Yours in Christ; Bolu Olatunji.
