Accept Yourself

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 esv

Depression is more common than we think. Millions of people face varying degrees of depression, but most cases are unreported. Regardless of the severity, we can all relate to the challenges that come with trying to overcome an illness.

The first key is acceptance. Accepting where we are and what we are going through is a step toward healing. Even though we live in a society where open discussion about mental health issues is still taboo, we can make the choice to allow this new dimension to be part of our reality. If we don’t, we are bound to continue denying our experience and faking a life that does not exist.

The second key is to let go of blame and labeling ourselves. Sometimes we are the ones who do the greatest damage to ourselves through self-talk. We start to look for ways to explain our circumstances and take the blame for being in the pit. We beat ourselves up by thinking the outcome would have been different if only we had exercised more, forgiven more, been more loving, read more Scripture, or … fill in the blank.

When we accept and embrace our circumstances, we can begin to allow God’s plan to take root. If we treat our illness as the result of our failings, then we are prone to using our own efforts to make ourselves better. If we come to a place of accepting our depression as an event that God allowed, we have access to the full power of God to help us manage and become free from the darkness.

Acceptance of one’s life has nothing to do with resignation; it does not mean running away from the struggle. On the contrary, it means accepting it as it comes, with all the handicaps of heredity, of suffering, of psychological complexes and injustices.

Paul Tournier

The worst loneliness is to not be comfortable with yourself.

Mark Twain

“You have peace,” the old woman said, “when you make it with yourself.”

Mitch Albom

For Further Reflection

Psalm 139:14; Romans 8:1

Today’s Prayer

Creator Father, thank you for making me with such detail. Please help me to accept the circumstances that come my way and bring me to the realization that I am still under your watchful eye. Amen.