In this ninth episode, Dr. Knabb discusses the human struggle with perfectionism. Specifically, the human tendency to establish unrealistic standards, coupled with our inability to achieve them and the suffering that can come from this gap, is explored. Perspectives from secular psychology are offered, along with a biblical understanding of legalism. Finally, the Christian antidote to perfectionism and legalism is presented, relying on God's grace, and a 10-minute practice is offered to better help Christians rely on God's perfect grace when perfectionistic tendencies emerge in daily life.
References
Anderson, N., Miller, R., & Travis, P. (2003). When trying harder isn’t enough: Breaking the bondage of legalism. Harvest House Publishers.
Bieling, P., Israeli, A., & Antony, M. (2004). Is perfectionism good, bad, or both? Examining models of the perfectionism construct. Personality and Individual Differences, 36, 1373-1385.
Damian, L., Stoeber, J., Negru, O., & Baban, A. (2013). On the development of perfectionism in adolescence: Perceived parental expectations predict longitudinal increases in socially prescribed perfectionism. Personality and Individual Differences, 55, 688-693.
Egan, S., Wade, T., & Shafran, R. (2011). Perfectionism as a transdiagnostic process: A clinical review. Clinical Psychology Review, 31, 203-212.
Frost, R., Lahart, C., & Rosenblate, R. (1991). The development of perfectionism: A study of daughters and their parents. Cognitive Therapy Research, 15, 469–489.
Hughes, P. (2001). Grace. In W. Elwell (Ed.), Evangelical dictionary of theology (pp. 519-522). Baker Academic.
James, K., & Rimes, K. (2018). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy versus pure cognitive behavioural self-help for perfectionism: A pilot randomized study. Mindfulness, 9, 801-814.
Kempis, T. (2015). The imitation of Christ: Classic devotions in today’s language. Worthy Inspired.
Knabb, J. (2018). The compassion-based workbook for Christian clients: Finding freedom from shame and negative self judgments. Routledge.
Knabb, J. (2021). Christian meditation in clinical practice: A four-step model and workbook for therapists and clients. InterVarsity Press.
Limburg, K., Watson, H., Hagger, M., & Egan, S. (2017). The relationship between perfectionism and psychopathology: A meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 73, 1301-1326.
Slaney, R., Rice, K., Mobley, M., Trippi, J., & Ashby, J. (2001). The revised Almost Perfect Scale. Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development, 34, 130–145.