Perfectionism: Cause #3–Childhood Experiences

Posted on Monday, March 21st, 2016

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it” Proverbs 22:6

English: perfectionist measuring and
cutting grass (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I’m not this bad. Maybe my husband is?

Causes

So far we’ve learn perfection comes from:

The heart. Pride convinces us we have to be perfect
Legalistic Leaders. Some leaders or bosses always find fault because you don’t measure up

Childhood Experiences

The third cause:

Childhood experiences

And these can run the gamut: our parents were successful or they praised us too much or they praised us too little or we didn’t fit in as children.

Little my parents did instilled this in me. In that manner, my childhood was blessed.

However, I’m an artist, and I do not see the world in the typical manner. I’ll look at a tree stump and see a mermaid. I hear a song and am plunged into a fantasy world where I’m Maid Marion saving Robin Hood.

By nature, I’m caring, frugal, helpful, and loyal. Therefore, people’s attitudes and opinions were paramount.

The two elements of my nature combat each other: in trying to be like others, my basic strengths compelled me to be different.

Childhood Causes of Perfectionism

Parents too successful
Parents too unsuccessful
You were too doted upon
You were abused

Believing God’s word begins the cure

The Cure

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” Rom. 5:8. Click to tweet

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” Rom. 8:37-39.

Come to the realization that Jesus loves us just the way we are.

Have you struggled with childhood issues that push you into perfectionism?

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Perfectionism formed in #childhood can be cured.
Discover the source of perfectionism.

Carol McClain

Writing Redemption