BY CLEO GOVENDER
Are you a perfectionist? Teens today worry a lot about body image, exercising, and getting good grades. Many teens feel that the better they perform in school, the more successful they will be in life. This thinking does make sense, if you get good grades, you will be rewarded with high marks and this prepares you for college. The problem however, is that constantly striving for perfection tends to backfire. It often leads to stress, anxiety and sometimes suicidal thoughts. It also distracts you from your relationship with God. Whenever you are overcome with difficulty, maybe while studying or trying to do a project but failing to understand what is expected of you, just turn to your Heavenly Father. Ask him to help you and put your faith and trust in him.
I remember when I finished college and I was waiting to get placed for in-service, I had just gotten my first interview and I was so scared and nervous because my year end results were not that good. There were 3 other candidates after me and 2 of them would always get the highest marks in the class. As I sat through the interview, I was a bit at ease, the interviewer was really nice to me, and she wasn’t looking for the person with the best marks but someone with a good personality and the ability to work well with others.
The bible verse that makes me feel invincible is Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope”. God assures us that he has great plans for us and he will never let us down. We just have to believe in him.
Currently with the pressures from social media, you often compare yourself to others,you may feel like you need to dress up and look like someone from Facebook or Instagram or like a celebrity that you admire. You may think that people on social media have perfect lives, however they are just posting what they want us to see…the good. We don’t get to see the bad and ugly. Jesus loves you just the way you are, you don’t need to be like him or her, you just need to be you!
Jesus reassures us in Isaiah 43:4 “Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life.”
So instead of trying to be perfect, just thank God for everything he’s given and done for you. Try your best in everything you do, however if you make a mistake, don’t be so hard on yourself. Talk to Jesus and keep his words in your mind, only he can give you the peace and satisfaction that you desire.
Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”