When a demanding secular world tells us who to be and what to do, we can let the gospel of Jesus Christ be our guide and our primary source of comfort.
In today’s world, we are constantly bombarded with checklists: what to eat, what to wear, what to do with our money and our time. People on social media tell us that if we want to succeed, we need to be up-to-date on every passing fad and trend. As we venture out into the workforce, we must diversify because AI is taking our jobs before we’ve even started them; we must invest in the right businesses or products; we must stand out no matter what. Whether it is our actions or our appearance or our production, we may constantly compare our lives to the world, and we can feel there is no room to make mistakes.
Photo by Kostiantyn Usatenko
I know I feel all this—all these worries of a modern world—crashing down on me as I begin the next stage of my adult life. These worries are very real, and the pressure is far greater than any person can bear alone. Luckily, God never intended us to bear these burdens on our own: he gave us his Son, Jesus Christ, as an example and a helper.
All of this is easier said than done; before we can allow God’s help, we have to reorient our perspective. In his article, “Perfectionism: A Toxic Game of ‘Spot-the-Difference,” Brother Nathan Read wrote to young adults, advising us on how to change our standard of measurement and stop comparing our spiritual growth to others. He reminds us that “as we choose Christ as our exemplar, friend, and supporter, we can put away our damaging comparisons and find peace on the path to perfection.” We have to firmly establish our faith in Christ and choose to follow him if we want to feel spiritually whole. The adversary wants us to compare ourselves with the false and unattainable image of others, but God wants us to emulate Jesus Christ and rely on him every step of the way.
I still struggle with perfectionism and comparison, but when I remind myself of God’s grace and guidance, I find the weight of the world lessens when Christ shares my burdens. We must allow God to give us the courage to continue forward, even if each step is small. When the world tries to define our worth or dictate our direction, remember: We have Jesus Christ at our side.
Read more about overcoming perfectionism and comparison in Nathan Read’s article, “Perfectionism: A Toxic Game of ‘Spot-the-Difference.’”
Source: Ensign
—Faith Murri, Latter-day Saint Insights
FEATURE IMAGE BY ELIA ZANROSSO
Find more insights
Read Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s general conference talk, “Be Ye Therefore Perfect—Eventually,” for more guidance on how to rely on Jesus Christ.
Take a look at Megan McGee’s Latter-day Saint Insights article “How to Combat Perfectionism” to learn more about how repentance can help you with feelings of inadequacy.