Tired of holding your breath, waiting for change? Here's how acceptance can help you breathe again, even when nothing makes sense.
In recent months, I’ve been struggling to accept something that I have absolutely no power to change. This has been extremely difficult as I’ve wrestled with the Lord over what acceptance really means. According to His Word, the situation isn’t good, but I’m called to be loving and kind according to His will. The battle continues as I pray fervently for wisdom and grace.
The thing to remember is, acceptance doesn’t equal agreement. It’s not approving of other people’s decisions or actions. Instead, it’s realizing what we can and cannot control and releasing the situation to the One who is always in control.
If acceptance is a struggle for you these days, please know you’re not alone. Here are a few encouragements for your difficult journey.
Acceptance Helps You Separate Fact from Fiction
It was the prophet Isaiah who shared these comforting words from God: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)
Our thoughts and emotions often get the best of us in our humanness, convincing us of things that simply aren’t true. We might think we’re justified in bitterness or unforgiveness. We might assume things about people or falsely accuse them. The sooner we embrace that God’s ways are higher, and His thoughts are above our own, the sooner we can accept our trials with renewed hope in Him.
Something profound I heard recently is that our hope is not in the outcome, but in the God of the outcome. May I repeat that? Our hope is not in the outcome, but in the God of the outcome. We can pray for, hope for, and wish for any outcome we please, but our true hope is in the Lord. No matter how things play out, our hope is always and forever in the King of Kings. Accepting God’s faithful provision will help us separate fact from fiction.
If His ways truly are higher than ours, and they are, we can trust Him to work all things out according to His heavenly purpose. Everyone involved, including ourselves, is accountable to the Living God who upholds the Word of Truth. Acceptance of difficult things doesn’t mean we are giving in to the trial; instead, we are trusting God through the trial.
Lord, please help me accept only Your truth in this situation. Lead me away from false assumptions and accusations and rely on You to work all things out for Your glory. In Jesus’ holy name, amen.
Acceptance Allows You to Exhale
When we’re going through something difficult, it’s as if we’re holding our breath for long periods, waiting to exhale. This stems from wanting things to be resolved quickly and unable to rest until they are.
Accepting the circumstances allows us to exhale and release everything to the Lord. Essentially, it says, “Keep breathing and trusting that God’s got this.” In fact, practicing deep breathing during times of heartache will help you manage anxiety and maintain a sense of peace.
Most of us fear that we need to cover all our bases and meet everyone’s needs, not realizing it’s too much for us to handle. My friend, we were never meant to carry the load. We can help carry one another’s burdens as mentioned in Galatians 6:2, which says, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ,” but we aren’t expected to carry the entire weight of things. This will only tire us out, drag us down, and cause us to feel defeated.
With God’s help, try to accept the reality of where you are on this journey. Inhale and exhale. Breathe deeply of God’s peace as He resolves the issue. You can fully trust Him to come through for you, so exhale every bit of worry, tension, and stress. God’s got this; He’s got you.
Lord, I’ve been holding my breath waiting for You to act. But today, I choose to exhale every disappointment, worry, anxiety, and fear. I trust You to carry the burden and show me ways to support my loved ones without bearing the weight. In Jesus’ precious name, amen.
Acceptance Guards Your Heart and Mind
I don’t know about you, but unhealthy thought spirals can lead me down some dark places. I waste much time when I allow myself to think about all the things I cannot change. However, Godly acceptance guards our hearts and minds, releasing us from endless cycles of negative thinking.
I’m reminded of Philippians 4:8, which says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Beautiful songs have been written from this passage as peaceful reminders to think upon excellent and praiseworthy things. What a difference this can make in our deepest, darkest trials!
If you’re struggling with tormenting thoughts of what-ifs, should-haves, and could-haves, try dissecting the situation piece by piece. For example, if you face rejection, name it aloud and speak God’s truth. Here is a powerful word to take with you: “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)
Powerful reminders like these guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. The anointing of God’s Word prevents you from going down harmful paths leading nowhere. The Scriptures comfort you with songs of deliverance as you joyfully think of whatever is lovely, true, noble, and right.
My friend, I wish we didn’t have to go through heartache, but it’s part of our fallen world. Though it’s a process, accepting reality with God’s grace and wisdom will help us heal from the intense pain. Accepting reality doesn’t mean we agree with or accept wrongdoing; instead, it helps us face the facts of the situation with hope in what God can do.
So, find time to exhale today. Rest in God’s presence with full trust that He works all things according to His purpose. He loves you so much and is there to guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus until the storm's intensity has passed.
Acceptance isn’t aligning ourselves with other people’s decisions or actions. Instead, it’s aligning ourselves with our good, gracious, Heavenly Father who sees the beginning from the end. He knows what you’re going through and Is with you every moment.
Lord, thank You for beautiful passages such as Zephaniah 3:17. I cling to the promise that You take great delight in us, and in Your love, You no longer rebuke us. I stand in Your presence as You rejoice over me with singing. And I pray the same for my loved ones today. In Jesus’ holy and mighty name, amen.
More Resources for Your Journey:
Pressing On When Faced With the Impossible
Acceptance - Warrior Mom Wisdom
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Tinnakorn Jorruang
