“Now to him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Ephesians 3:20 – King James Version) My genuine hope and primary purpose for the Ephesians 3:20 Faith Encouragement and Empowerment Blog is to assist all people of faith, regardless of your prism of experience, to grow spiritually toward unconditional self-acceptance and develop personally acquiring progressive integrity of belief and lifestyle. I pray you will discover your unique purpose in life. I further pray love, joy, peace, happiness and unreserved self-acceptance will be your constant companions. Practically speaking, this blog will help you see the proverbial glass in life as always half full rather than half empty. I desire you become an eternal optimist who truly believes that Almighty God can do anything that you ask or imagine.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Celebrating God's Handiwork - The Essence of Self-Acceptance - Part II

Celebrating God’s Handiwork - The Essence of Self-Acceptance – Part II

Self-acceptance frees you from the incessant need to explain, justify, defend or apologize for yourself.  In trying to coerce people to like you, you easily fall into this trip.  The continuous need of explaining your heartfelt intentions demonstrates a lack of self-acceptance.  Justifying your actions is yet another indicator of this unfortunate way of being in the world.  Defensiveness is probably the clearest example of a person who has not achieved a requisite level of self-acceptance.  You do not need to substantiate your right to live. 

Additionally, self-acceptance enables you to receive constructive criticism more humbly and graciously.  In learning “to live and let live,” you allow others the freedom of choice and opinions.  People do not have to conform to your ideas and tastes.  Equally, you do not have to satisfy the arbitrary expectations of others.  You can simply be yourself as you afford the same rights and privileges to others.

Self-acceptance is a spiritual concept that flows from your inner being.  Again, it is not a matter of ego and predominant self-assertion.  People who have something to prove to the world will one day discover that the world does not care!  Nonetheless, self-acceptance develops within one’s heart, psyche, and will.  The acceptance of your physical appearance evolves after you complete the important spiritual work of cultivating self-acceptance within the other major dimensions of human existence.  Fundamentally, self-acceptance is an act of faith in the love of God toward you.  Similar to the unconditional love of a parent for a child, God loves us without regard for society’s expectations or assumptions of who is or is not worthy of love.  As we rightly relate to Him, He more greatly reveals His unconditional and unfailing love.  As we better internalize God’s love, we learn to accept ourselves without question.  Within our innermost selves, we determine that God’s love suffices.  Thus, we are fine just as He created us!

We cease playing in the harmful game of seeking the approval of others.  We shun the societal forces to conform to the collective consciousness of what is beauty, righteous, and acceptable.  We begin to make judgments based upon God’s word and assessment of us.

The development of self-acceptance depends greatly upon the daily practice of spiritual discipline.  The book of James refers to the Bible as a mirror, into which a person may look and get a glimpse of the God’s will.  In addition, you begin to see yourself  self as God sees you, as you daily look into the Bible.  Second, the apostle Paul prays for the church (Ephesians 1:15-18) that the eyes of their hearts will be opened so that they may be enlightened with the will of Almighty God.  We can pray for the willingness to see ourselves as God sees us.  Third, consistent meditation is one of the most worthwhile and beneficial spiritual practices.  In meditation, we listen with our hearts for the voice of the Holy Spirit.  Our silence allows for Him to speak directly to our situation.  We raise our mental and spiritual consciousness to a heavenly plane so that we may converse with our heavenly Father.  Fourth, meditation additionally offers a daily quiet time to reflect upon our choices, mistakes, successes and omissions.  Fifth, a journal allows for an extensive conversation with God.  It adds the benefit of enabling you to chart the growth and development of your self-acceptance.  Sixth, keeping a gratitude list fosters self-acceptance.  Such a list helps you avoid the pitfalls of only giving thanks for material acquisition and possessions.  Rather, you have the privilege of pausing and giving thanks for the people and relationships that make your life enriching and blessed.  Collective worship, the seventh spiritual discipline, should not be under-estimated in the large scheme of acquiring and persevering within self-acceptance.  Eighth, the number of new beginnings, Christian education and life-long learning afford you the best opportunity of maturing in self-acceptance.  As you expand the habit of learning about self-acceptance, it will naturally become a part of your outlook of life.


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