Acceptance

Accept-to regard as right

Let's be honest, we do not all wake up every morning and lovingly accept ourselves just the way we are. If we get down to the nitty gritty, and really pay attention to our thoughts throughout the day, they are not accepting of who we are right now. Not who we were, who we will be, or just plain who we wish we were, but who we ARE.

Why do you suppose it is that we do not regard ourselves as right? Perhaps you have been told on more than one occasion, or probably most common would be that you assume that other people do not regard you as right. I like to think of accept in the terms that you are perfectly great just as you are, all your so called "flaws", and all the positive stuff too. Getting back to the why.....hmmm, I think we find ourselves in a vicious cycle when we do not accept ourselves as is. When I say accept ourselves as is, I do not mean to not attempt to change those flaws that draw us away from Christlikeness, I am merely suggesting that we are to be content with the who of me. The different things that make us the individual we are. The parts that we are not accepting of, need to be identified and examined to see if they are not lining up with who we are in God's eyes, or who we are not in the world's eyes. The vicious cycle goes somewhat as follows: I am looking for my acceptance in the reactions of others, I am not getting the desired reaction or acceptance, now I will try to be what I think they would like me to be, then comes the jealousy that they have it but I do not, now I will just be judgemental and maybe even slander them in hopes to elevate myself. Whoops! Now I feel even more lousy, and I guess I will start it all over again in hopes to find that acceptance I so desire! That acceptance we so long for, really is an inside job after all. Why is it so hard for us to grasp?(myself included!)

Thankfully, "When God created man, he made them in the likeness of God. He created them male and female and blessed them. And when they were created, he called them 'man'." Gen. 5:1,2. We need not look without to find it, God created it. The acceptance comes from a sure knowing that God created you in His likeness and He is perfect, flawless, without error. That alone should do it for us, but since we are constantly bombarded with the onslaught of this world it clouds up the truth we know a bit. This truth in God's Word is something we need to keep on the forefront of our minds each and every day. If that is still a bit much for you to grasp, start where Pinocchio started, putting God in Geppetto's part and think, "Papa, I am not sure who I am. But if I am all right with you, then I guess I am all right with me". After all, God loves our honest confessions and He will meet us right where we are at. Have a blessed day knowing that you are regarded as RIGHT with God.

"Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."

Romans 15:7