I invite you to continue our examination of "enemy thoughts" that block our further progress in realization of God's abundance.

"I have to be perfect".

There is a great difference between striving for excellence and perfectionism. Perfectionism is especially dangerous for those who set their minds on success and achievements, because it comes in disguise, as a friend aiming to help us. And yet, it is an deadly enemy.

Perfectionism denies our right to be happy here and now, while we are still in a process of changes and transformation. But if we are not happy now, when will we be happy? Tomorrow? There will be no tomorrow. The next day will come, and it will be today again.

Perfectionism doesn't allow us to accept ourselves as worthy individuals before we reach certain goals. Little do perfectionists realize, that this particular attitude prevents them from successful achievements of those goals. What and where we are now is not a question of our worth. It is simply a starting point. Accept yourself, accept the place where you are, and you will be ready to move on to greater things.

Perfectionists, as a rule, are too serious about themselves, their successes and failures. Instead of being relaxed, they are nervous and tense. This means, they are more likely to ruin their health than those who are not so self-centered.

Perfectionists do not trust God and do not trust Life. If they would only comprehend the fact that their desire for growth and attainment is a manifestation of God's desire to be expressed in this world, they would stay in peace, allowing the great stream of Life to flow in its perfect course.

"I have to be in control".

As Jesus said, we cannot add a cubit to our stature by being anxious (Luke 12:25). It is up to us to do the things that we're inspired to do by God, working diligently and with all of our heart. It is not up to us try to control the outcome of our activities, or worry about the things which are not directly related to us.

"I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither is he who plants anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase" (1 Corinthians 3:5,6), wrote Paul. He realized that a person's life is a process of working together with God. We do our part, God does His part. All life's blessings come to us through us - not without our active participation.

Trust that there are powers which, under direction of God, are working behind the scene, even if you can't see them. Relax, and allow God's order to unfold. Know that God's order is your highest good.

Actually, the same things you are eagerly seeking, are seeking you!

Your God-ordained success is seeking you.
Your God-ordained wholeness is seeking you.
Your God-ordained happiness is seeking you.

The only possible way for a person to remain poor, sick, weak, and unhappy, is to actively resist God's work in his/her life through disbelief, lack of cooperation, or self-destructive patterns of thinking and living. We live, and move, and have our being in a friendly world. It gently and naturally leads us to success and full realization of our potential. When we come to the knowledge of that, our life becomes much easier.

"And all these blessings shall come on you and overtake you" (Deuteronomy 28:2), assures us the Bible. Is there anything more thrilling than to be overtaken by God's goodness and love?