Acceptance

According to sharp.com, acceptance means fully acknowledging the facts of a situation and not fixating on how it shouldn’t be that way. (Why is acceptance so important? | Sharp HealthCare. (2021, February 26). I can admit that there have been moments where I tend to dwell on everything that’s going wrong or the things that I don’t like, more than I should. I can honestly say that it didn’t make things any better. All it brought was stress, anxiety, overthinking and more tears. Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? (Matthew 6:27). Trust me, this scripture always proves to be right. 

I had to finally make the decision to stop addressing the negative as much. I say, “as much” because it's important to still be aware, but to not let these situations be your main focus. Once making that decision, I did start to see a slight change in my situation, but most importantly I saw a big change in myself. It allowed contentment to come in and also opened my eyes to see the good. Although I am still a work in progress, I believe that no matter what I'm going through, or how hard things may be, there is always one small thing that can be found good. Just like the quote says, “There’s always light at the end of the tunnel.”

Depending on the person, acceptance can mean a lot of different things. Maybe it's accepting where you are in life or the people that’s around you. Or it could be just simply accepting whether something may or may not work for you or go the way you want. The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” (Psalms 32:8). No matter what season of life we are in, we can trust that God has us in it for a reason. There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Everything God does is beneficial. God does things so He can be glorified. Whether we can see it or not at the present moment, we have to trust and know that God is moving for our own good- And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purposes (Romans 8:28). Why get upset at things we can’t control? Of course we know we didn’t choose most of the battles that came our way, but God knew way before they were coming! Accept that control has to be given up in order for God to have His way.

Sometimes acceptance in the now can impact your breakthrough in the future. God may be testing your faith in struggles now before you get to the blessings. “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much (Luke 16:10). We have to get into a place where we are able to not let our trials completely destroy us, but instead lean on God for help. God wants to be able to trust that you can handle all the things that come your way-the good and the bad. Also, God could be blessing us now, but we get so caught up in our tribulations, that we overlook all He’s doing. How will you get past if you stay stuck in the negative zone? Seek and find what God is doing now because that will lead you to more.

Even Jesus learned acceptance throughout His journey. He didn’t crumble or complain when people mistreated him or called him names. He had work to do and kept persistent. He even prayed to God-”My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39)- Although knowing his death was nearing, His acceptance would be beneficial to the Father and us as a people-And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again (2 Corinthians 5:15). Jesus died so that we may have eternal life with Him.

As followers of Christ, we should have the same posture as Jesus- “Let your will be done Lord, not my own.” We have to be willing to give up our old self and let the new settle in.

If Jesus can accept who we are and everything that comes with us, then surely we can do the same. Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me (John 13:20).

Why is acceptance so important? | Sharp HealthCare. (2021, February 26). https://www.sharp.com/health-news/the-power-of-acceptance