A trap for Perfectionists is when they go into “what if” and “if only.” After years of struggling with this, I now try to to say instead, “Lord, show me the good you want to bring out of this. I believe that, “In ALL things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Below is an email my Aunt Betty sent me when I was slipping back into the bad habit of going into the “what ifs” and “if onlys” over a decision I made. She told me that saying, “I wish” is the same as saying “if only”

“What interests me is how you are being tempted to back out of the wisdom you had acquired. Notice the evidence of your famous “what if” and “if only” temptation that follows. Think about this. I believe this is how you dig a hole to fall into. Satan can steal your faith and hope from you when you play the “what if” and “if only” games with him. Learn from this, so he can’t get in to take over and move you towards depression..”