UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS

Read: Colossians 3:21

"Fathers, do not provoke or irritate your children [do not be hard on them or harass them], lest they become discouraged and sullen and morose and feel inferior and frustrated. [Do not break their spirit.]." ( Colossians 3:21 ) AMP

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Bible in a year: 1 Timothy

Thoughts for Today

Certain dysfunctional behavioral patterns often characterize the families of people with eating disorders. This week we are looking at five types of dysfunctional families (described in The Thin Disguise by Pam Vredevelt) that tend to foster these disorders. Perhaps you or someone you know has a loved one struggling with an eating disorder. Or perhaps you will identify some area of family relationships that you need to address in your family.

In healthy families, children are taught to excel, to capitalize on their strengths, to recognize their weaknesses and to recover and learn from their mistakes. In the dysfunctional "Perfectionistic Family," each member must be an overachiever, never falling short in anything—standards that are, of course, impossible to achieve. This family has a need to be regarded as all good and picture perfect. They put great emphasis on family appearance. Focus is also often on body appearance. In perfectionistic families, children are told, "Just do the best you can." But when they do the best they can, it is not quite good enough.

(Note: we are grateful to Pam Vredevelt for her keen insights.)

Consider this …

An expectation of perfectionism—in ourselves or others—is totally unrealistic and can lead to discouragement and frustration. Today's scripture cautions parents not to be too hard on their children—"lest they become discouraged and sullen and morose and feel inferior and frustrated." God wants us to teach our children, to discipline them in love, and to motivate them to good works—but not to place unrealistic expectations on them.

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Living Free Every Day® is a ministry of livingfree.org

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