Alisha Illian - Chasing Perfect: Peace and Purpose in the Exhausting Pursuit of Something Better

Contents

Chasing Perfect strikes at the core of todays hustle culture, exposing the lies weve believed about our value, our work, and our purpose. In a necessary reorientation of heart and priority, Alisha directs us back to the only source of fulfillmentthe Maker of our souls. This book shows the way to peace is found not by neglecting our full plates but by surrendering them to Christ.

Phylicia Masonheimer , author | speaker | teacher, Driven Women

In a day when being busy and overwhelmed is the mark of a successful life, Chasing Perfect offers an important perspective shift: If we are looking to our achievements and performance to validate our worth, we will never be satisfied. This book will help you discover how to reprioritize your life to find lasting fulfillment in the pursuit of God, not perfection.

Lisa Bevere , New York Times bestselling author

Todays world never stopsbut for what? Thats the challenge Alisha gives us in Chasing Perfect : What are you really chasing? Because well never find what were looking for outside of Jesus. Culture remains steady to offer counterfeit pursuits, complete with false promises, but the truth remains: Only Jesus satisfies. If youre ready to have a cut-the-fluff convo about full-fledged surrender, this book is the real talk your soul craves.

Michelle Myers , founder of she works HIS way

One of the things I love most about Alisha is her consistent, steadfast message of truth in the face of all the world is trying to feed us as Christian women today. She is on a mission to disassemble the lie that anything other than Jesus will satisfy our deepest longings and give us the peace we are so desperate for. This book was written for this time in the history of our nation and world. I couldnt be more excited about the message.

Cherice Stoltzfus , founder and president of Nameless Collaborative

Resting in Christ amid the hustle culturethis Alisha Illian knows deep in her bones. Chasing Perfect is littered with authentic experience, biblical truth, and gospel application. Personal stories combined with Scripture narratives distill hope for the reader with both real depth and practical application. Alisha calls us to ferociously and faithfully pursue the person of Christ while humbly resting in his perfection rather than our own. May this book continue to be a balm of grace, curating a gospel hope in the midst of all of our daunting imperfections and overwhelming circumstances. While reading Chasing Perfect , youll probably laugh, shed a tear or two, and, most importantly, be all the more compelled to chase perfect in knowing, loving, and beholding King Jesus.

Lacey Stevenson , writer and Bible teacher | former minister at The Village Church, Dallas

As women, we know all too well the struggle of feeling that we have to be perfect. I know I do. In Chasing Perfect , Alisha speaks right to our hearts through relatable stories, reminding us that perfection is not the goal for our lives a relationship with Christ is. If you find yourself struggling with the pressure of being perfect, pick up this book and be encouragedyou are not alone.

Angela Perritt , founder and director of Love God Greatly

In a world filled with airbrushed illusions of flawless living and endless images of women somehow doing it all, Alisha uses Chasing Perfect to invite us to escape the quicksand of perfectionism. She shows us that the more we desire isnt found in doing more, going after more or even being more efficient, but instead in becoming relentlessly surrendered. A must read for every woman who is sick of striving and ready for a roadmap to trading perfectionism for presence and doing for divine purpose.

Marshawn Evans Daniels , Godfidence Coach | TV personality | reinvention strategist for women | founder of SheProfits.com

ALISHA ILLIAN

HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS

EUGENE, OREGON

Cover design by Kara Klontz Design

Cover photo Mari Dein / Shutterstock

For bulk, special sales, or ministry purchases, please call 1-800-547-8979.

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Chasing Perfect

Copyright 2020 by Alisha Illian

Published by Harvest House Publishers

Eugene, Oregon 97408

www.harvesthousepublishers.com

ISBN 978-0-7369-8044-9 (pbk)

ISBN 978-0-7369-8045-6 (eBook)

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Illian, Alisha, author.

Title: Chasing perfect : peace and purpose in the exhausting pursuit o something better / Alisha Illian.

Description: Eugene, Oregon : Harvest House Publishers, 2020. | Summary: Do you find yourself trying to make everything look good and you wind up missing the truly good moments? Alisha Illian wants you to know that you dont need perfect-you need perfect surrender to find freedom and peace Provided by publisher.

Identifiers: LCCN 2020018198 (print) | LCCN 2020018199 (ebook) | ISBN 9780736980449 (pbk) | ISBN 9780736980456 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: WomenReligious life. | PerfectionReligious aspectsChristianity. | SubmissivenessReligious aspectsChristianity.

Classification: LCC BV4527 .I375 2020 (print) | LCC BV4527 (ebook) | DDC 248.8/43dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020018198

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020018199

All rights reserved. No part of this electronic publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, digital, photocopy, recording, or any otherwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The authorized purchaser has been granted a nontransferable, nonexclusive, and noncommercial right to access and view this electronic publication, and purchaser agrees to do so only in accordance with the terms of use under which it was purchased or transmitted. Participation in or encouragement of piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of authors and publishers rights is strictly prohibited.

You therefore must be perfect,
as your heavenly Father is perfect.

MATTHEW 5:48

For Jesus,

my perfection

CONTENTS

I was sitting in the Starbucks parking lot, sipping on a green tea latte, checking my text messages when my ten-year-old son, Reign, asked the question. Mom, why are we here?

A little surprised at his insightful question, I quickly shifted gears to try to make it a teachable moment.

But I first thought, I think were here to turn up the radio, roll down the windows, and sing at the top of our lungs, unconsciously botching the chorus with our own made-up lyrics.

Were here to invite all the kids in the neighborhood to an epic game of Wiffle ball while the sprinklers turn us into wet noodles. As we twirl across the grass like newborn giraffes, well keep score by counting grass stains and giggles.

Were here to purposely show up late for basketball practice because we were digging for worms in the front yard with the priceless silver spoons passed down from Great-Great-Grandma Way-Too-Proper.

Were here to log off of Facebook, block Instagram, unpin from Pinterest, and take as many pictures and videos of the marshmallow-eating contest as possible, laughing uncontrollably while our siblings try to sing happy birthday with their cheeks full of white puffs. Our sore abs and cramped cheeks will say more than the best status update ever could.