Emotional Maturity

This is a Criteria of Emotional Maturity that came out a number of years ago by William C. Menninger, MD. It still holds up. Gives you something to shoot for and a sense of how you are progressing.

The Criteria of Emotional Maturity

• The ability to deal constructively with reality


• The capacity to adapt to change


• A relative freedom from symptoms that are produced by tensions and anxieties


• The capacity to find more satisfaction in giving than receiving


• The capacity to relate to other people in a consistent manner with mutual satisfaction and helpfulness


• The capacity to sublimate, to redirect one's instinctive hostile energy into creative and constructive outlets


• The capacity to love
  

Pretty amazing list. Worth thinking about and meditating on.

Jesus said:

"Be peferfect, therefore, as your Father is perfect". - Matthew 5:48

He wasn't necessarily refering to being a 'perfect' person in the way we may define perfection. In other words, He wasn't referring to being 'flaweless". He was refering to being 'mature and complete' as the Father is mature and complete. One of the draws of Jesus (and still is) is His emotional maturity and wholeness and His willingness to accept you as you are, recognizing your flaws, while helping you to continue to improve and grow on your journey of life. He is "Mr. EQ", if you will. He came that you: "...may have and enjoy life and have it in abundance, to the full - till it overflows". (John 10:10)

There is a beauty and joy that comes with growth and maturity, even though it's a process. You may have to 'get up one more time' and 'go to the well one more time' and 'keep on keeping on' - but it's worth the effort.

Remember, the glory isn't in the falling, it's in the rising. :) Be a Micah 7:8 person:

"Though I have fallen, I will rise". - Micah 7:8

If you fall down, get back up and keep moving forward in faith. Your victory is ahead of you, not behind you.

Enjoy the journey of growth and maturity and becoming a "true" adult.

"...He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." - Philippians 1:6

There truly is a "pearl of great price" within you that is waiting to be revealed.

You are the best.