ACCEPTANCE IS THE KEY

In the car the other day Garrett asked if we could go to the pool.  I wasn't sure of how the day would pan out so I told him I didn't know yet.  He and Isabelle were discussing the things we may have to do instead, and how the day could be arranged so we could go.
  

Abigayle, my 2 year old, spoke up and said, "If we do, we do.  If we don't, we don't!"

"You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes." (Luke 10:21)

Abigayle displayed a heart of acceptance.

Albert Einstein defined insanity as "doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result."  When I personalize this in my own life I see it is always when I refuse to accept what is.

I do this with people by not accepting where they are on their spiritual journey.  I expect things of them they are not capable of at the time, and then blame them for my disappointment.

I do this with time.  I used to be really bad at not admitting how long it took to get places.  So I would always be late.  Not accepting this didn't make it true.  Ever.

I do this institutions.  Again, I set expectations only to be disappointed.  Instead, I could simply accept them as they are, if I am satisfied with their work, pay them and use them again.  If not, don't.

I do this with circumstances.  For the longest time I did not want to believe my life was turning out differently than I had planned.  So I ignored it.  I ignore unhealthy behaviors.  I ignored sinful attitudes.  I ignored the insanity that I perpetuated by refusing to accept reality.

Refusing to accept reality never made reality conform to my wishes.  It just caused me to fall deeper into denial, become more frustrated, and brought out more of my character defects, particularly unhealthy coping mechanisms.

John 16:12-13a: "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.  However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth."

God knows there are some things we just can't handle yet.  He has sent His Spirit to walk us through the truth, things He knows we are ready for.  

Acceptance = Reality = Truth = God's Word

Lack of acceptance = Insanity = Lies = Satan 

MEDITATE ON IT

What is it that you have the hardest time accepting?  People, circumstances, reality?

What fruit does a lack of acceptance bear?

What benefits could you receive from accepting things and people as they are?

PRAY ABOUT IT

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.  Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time.  Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace.  Taking as Jesus did this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it.  Trusting that you will make all things right if I surrender to your will, so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You in the next.

LIVE IN IT

"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." (1 Corinthians 10:13)

"Finally, brethren, whatever thing are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things." (Philippians 4:8)

"And now, O Lord God, You are God, and Your words are true, and You have promised this goodness to Your servant." (2 Samuel 7:28)