Try some Peace-Making and Peace-Giving

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth give I unto you.
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. - John 14:27

Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou are in the way with him… Matthew 5:25

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Matt 21:22

…all things work together for good to them that love God… Romans 8:28

… this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. Matt 17:21

“You are selfish!”
“You are a perfectionist!”
“You are…!”
“You are so…!”
may be said to you to provoke you.
Perhaps these stinging words are said to you out of HIS/HER frustration, anger, hurt, sadness or fear.

Try some of the more peace-making, peace-giving responses:

Yes, there are still selfish pieces in me. I guess you love me for my other wonderful qualities.

Yes, a part of me is perfectionist. There are still also plenty of un-perfectionist parts of me.

You got me! When I am completely unselfish one day… look out world!

Oh yes…! And yet you still chose to marry me… Thank you! Thank you. Thank you for choosing me despite my then, and still, imperfections…

Indeed. I am grateful you chose to marry me in spite of my … which maybe you didn’t know about then – it was there! I didn’t know it was there then either. (or “I knew it was there then - I hoped for your patience as I work on this”.)

Absolutely. I look forward to being an easier … to live with.

You see through my outward appearance... Thank you for reminding me I still have this to work on.

Yes… sadly… I am glad you continue with me despite my slowly decreasing faults and failings.

You are right. Please forgive me. Even in my … I love you madly.

Yes! And I can tell you still love me! Yahoo! I am the luckiest … in town!

That’s fascinating! I still have work to do on that one. Please can WE still work together on other things… can we find a way?

True. And I also know you are exasperatedly CRAZY about me… I am blessed.

Oh boy – you caught me being … again. Thwack! Thwack! Get Over This (self)! Please be patient with me while I work on this... AGAIN!

Seriously… you are right. Drat! I thought I had beaten that imperfection into subjection!

(Huge Sigh) … (your own name), more “sackcloth and ashes” for you while you work again on that. Thanks for reminding me - it is helpful to have someone close to me notice and tell me.

Darn! I thought I had that licked! Back to the drawing board and “working on it” (your name).

Ooi! Caught again… Watch Out Family… I’ll get this right yet. Patience and Persistence pay.

Yes. Thankfully, I still know I am not junk… God never made any junk – not even me.

Ouch. I’ve made other progress that has made me feel proud. I’ll be proud one day, maybe sooner rather than later, in this regard too.

OK… I’ll be the prize you deserve one day! Thanks for your patience and faith in me so far.

Whew. Hang in there, my (be)loved, the best of me is yet to be. You’ll be delighted with me yet.