“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;”

Isaiah 43:1b-3a (NIV)

Sweet friends, as we seek to release ourselves from the bondage of perfectionism, I’d like to share a few final thoughts to help us move forward in freedom:

One of the misconceptions that many have about Christian living is that Christians experience a perfect life. If a believer’s life isn’t going perfectly, then he/she must not be a very good Christian.

Nonbelievers look at our lives sometimes and say to themselves, “Their lives look as problem-filled as mine. Why do I need Jesus? I’m doing as well as they are.”

Fellow believers look at each other’s lives and worry that they must be doing something wrong because other Christians’ lives are going more smoothly at the moment than theirs are.

The misconception that a Christian life is a perfect life is just that – a misconception.

Let’s get some perspective on what living as a redeemed person in a fallen world is really like:

We know this world is far from perfect and we know that the imperfections of the world get on us sometimes – all of us – like gum that randomly gets stuck to the bottom of your shoe or mud that splashes up on you when someone else jumps in a puddle nearby.

In this world, we all encounter situations from time to time that cause us conflict or stress. The problems and troubles of this world spill over into our lives like ripples on a pond and rock our boats. Sometimes the world rocks our boat a little bit, like a short choppy wave. Sometimes it feels more like a Category 3 hurricane.

The simple truth is that just because we follow Christ doesn’t mean the world won’t come knocking.

A lot of the time following Christ brings the world knocking even harder because we’re pushing back at what this world calls “normal” or “acceptable”. God doesn’t promise us a perfect life; in fact, Jesus told His disciples that we will all have trouble in this world (John 16:33).

What following Christ does mean is that we don’t have to open the door and let trouble in.

In this world, God promises us a lifeline, a fire extinguisher, a counselor, a bringer of peace, a release from the bondage of guilt and shame, and so much more.

As the prophet Isaiah wrote in Isaiah 43:1-2, God promises us a companion through the storms of life. He promises that we will not be overwhelmed or consumed by the troubles of this world.

Dear heart, I’ve experienced rough times when I wasn’t walking closely with God, when I had abandoned Him and was running things 100% in my own will – BUT – I’ve also experienced rough times when I was walking as closely to Him as I know how.

I can tell you in all sincerity that I don’t ever want to go through rough times leaning on my own will or my own power ever again. I don’t ever want to experience the hopelessness, the helplessness, the downward spiral of emotional and mental health that leads to physical illness.

AND Praise God, I don’t have to! Not ever again! And neither do you!

This is the wonderful promise that God has made so real for me, the promise He shared with Matthew and Mark and Luke and John and Paul and Esther and Naomi and Ruth and David and Solomon and Isaiah and Moses all the way back to Abraham and Noah and before them to Adam and Eve.

Beloved, we are not ever alone! We don’t ever have to succumb to feelings of hopelessness or helplessness!

No matter how much dirt and muck the world throws on us as we endeavor to follow Christ or even how much we splash on ourselves when we step outside God’s path, God always provides. He always prevails!

I understand now that in those times I felt alone and hopeless and helpless, He was right there, that still small voice in my heart saying, “Andrea, listen to Me. You’re not alone. You’re tired. You’re weak. You’re a little lost. Let Me supply your need. Let Me give you strength. Let Me guide you back to the right path.”

I heard Him too, but sometimes my worry and my fear and all the negativity I heard and saw around me made it difficult for me to focus on Him. Sometimes I knew God’s way was the best way, but my pride or my ambition or just my stubborn desire to do things my way led me to shut Him out.

Remember Revelation 3:20?

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him and he with me.”

Christian, trouble isn’t the only thing knocking on the door of our hearts.

God is knocking too.

He doesn’t knock the door down like SWAT, though He could if He wanted to; He knocks and waits for us to invite Him in.

Think of it as being thrown a rope when you’re sinking in quicksand. That rope can land right in front of you, but if you don’t pick it up, don’t cling to it tightly, then all the ropes in the world won’t keep you from going under.

With all that in mind, when we are blessed to see a fellow believer filled with hope, with peace, and with joy and love, remember, it’s not that their life is perfect, no one’s life experience has ever been perfect.

Even Christ Jesus, the only perfect One, He who lived without sin, experienced the imperfections of this world as the people voted to crucify Him, as He took on all of our sins, as He died on that tree for billions of errors not one of which was His mistake or His fault – so see, no one’s life experience is untouched by imperfection; other believers have troubles too.

BUT sweet friends, when we seek God’s presence in our lives, when we walk in faith, when we commit to holding firmly to His hand in times of trouble, He gives us peace and comfort and clarity and joy and hope and so much more.

Beloved, God wants to give us these things.

God is at the door and He’s knocking. Let Him in. Follow Him and let Him guide you around trouble and, when trouble can’t be avoided, let Him guide you through it and out the other side in such a way that brings Him glory.

Believer, His hand never pulls away from us. We have to choose to never let go on our end either. We need not fear for He has redeemed us, called us by name. We are His. He will be with us always until the end of time. Choose Him back, all day, every day, in all things. Choose the life and joy and peace and healing and wonder and all that He gives and all that He promises to give. What a difference it will make in your life and the lives of those around you!