Facing the Giant of AddictionSample

God accepts you ‘in Christ’, so accept yourself 

‘God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good...and He approved it completely.’ Genesis 1:31 AMPC 

You can’t deal with anything effectively until you first accept it for what it is – including yourself! Dictionary definitions for ‘accept’ include: 1) to receive willingly; 2) to view as right; 3) to agree with. First, acceptance involves your will. You can choose to accept yourself or not; it’s up to you. Second, when something is acceptable it’s viewed as being ‘right’. We tend to reject ourselves because we see only what’s wrong with us, rarely what’s right. Often this attitude was instilled in us early in life by those who focused on our weaknesses instead of our strengths, and we still carry their opinions with us. Third, the word ‘accept’ means ‘to agree with’. If you’re having a problem accepting yourself, you need to get into agreement with God’s Word. He says you’re ‘righteous’, so start saying the same thing (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). That can take a while to sink in, but over time it will take root within you. The Bible says, ‘Can two walk together, except they be agreed?’ (Amos 3:3 KJV). To walk with God you must agree with Him. He says He loves you and accepts you ‘in Christ’, so start to agree with Him and stop putting yourself down. When God made us, He said, ‘It was very good’ and He hasn’t changed His mind. But be patient – He’s not through with His creative work in your life. And He wants you to see yourself as He sees you and learn to love yourself while you’re still ‘under construction. 

Prayer Point:

Lord, I know I’m a work-in-progress, and I thank You that You don’t reject me because of my flaws and failings, but instead, You accept and love me as I am. Help me to accept Your corrections as You work within me. When I’m tempted to wander away from You or do something that goes against Your will, please fill me with Your strength so I can turn away from it and keep my integrity. In Jesus’ name, Amen.