Working hard at something and excelling are great things that we should celebrate. However, many people are saddled with a nagging fear that what they have done is never good enough or that they could always do more despite having done well. They feel the crushing weight of performance-anxiety, perfectionism and internal high expectations. Giving and receiving grace can be challenging for many of us but especially for those of us who struggle with an over-desire for control, working hard to redeem the shame and hurt of falling short. 

In our Toolkit series, we have been exploring the four deep idols. In our culture where efficiency, productivity and performance are highly valued, it can be easy for many of us to develop a deep idol of control, trying unconsciously to obtain our worth through our performance. This month, we will focus on the deep idol of control: how we can recognize and care well for those who struggle with it.