Previous Challenge Entry
Topic: Acceptance (01/12/04)
TITLE: The Ultimate Acceptance By Jerry Lane 01/16/04 |
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT SEND ARTICLE TO A FRIEND |
When we were children, it wasn’t a big deal. We played and most of the time everyone accepted each other. But, slowly it started. Someone wouldn’t let you play with the other kids or maybe you didn’t let someone else play with you and your friends. This is the critical time when children are developing as people not only physically and mentally, but emotionally too. Rejection at this point or learning that there’s a possibility of rejection might be why we all strive for acceptance.
But, it doesn’t really matter why. The truth is, we do if we honestly think about it. The need for acceptance can run out of proportion though and lead to addictive and destructive behaviors. Why is it that it’s so hard for chemically addicted, those with eating disorders, abusive and other people with addictions (of which I’ve been one so I’m not pointing fingers) to break those addictions?
I mean, we can get treatment. We seem to get better and then later, sometimes much later, go back to the addictive behavior. Or we choose another one. What about perfectionism or workaholism? Those are addictions as well. Anyone out there who overeats regularly? It could be an addictive behavior.
I’m not trying to say everything we do more than once is an addiction, but there are many people who struggle in these areas. A friend of mine had a theory that the addictive behavior results out of shame. I am thinking that the shame might be linked to our need for acceptance. When we don’t feel accepted, we feel ashamed.
I know I’ve not painted a pretty picture, but there is one coming. It just requires one thing and that’s our acceptance. Ironic, huh? If we have accepted Jesus’ sacrifice as atonement for our sin and invited Him into our life as Savior and Lord of our life, then God Himself accepts us. That’s the ultimate acceptance. Tada. Addictive behavior eliminated. Well, maybe not. I’m in agreement with the truth I just wrote. I’m still working on completely accepting it myself and therefore accept myself.