Acceptance is one thing we are encouraged to develop when we
are in recovery for addiction. A major
reason we drank or drugged was because we couldn’t accept things. We used to escape into addiction to avoid
acceptance, but now we must learn to cope. We always wanted things changed to
match our desires. We wanted things the
way we wanted them. I often still feel this way.
Acceptance is
closely related to gratitude. If I can
find a reason to be grateful, then I can accept difficulty. My negative mind is
very stubborn about staying negative. I have to have grace. But it’s more than just looking at the good
and not at the bad. Gratitude is a way
of giving up control over my will to be right. Gratitude is also a way to grieve
in a healthy way. If I choose to hear
truthful pain instead of looking at why the pain shouldn’t be there, I can get
gratitude for the healing that begins to take place on the inside. In order to
become Grate-FULL, I may need to start out EMPTY. There has to first be a void in order for me
to appreciate the fullness when it arrives. The healing of trauma brings about
deep appreciation for God my Healer. A lost relationship through death or other
separation can become the motive to foster new relationships that bring life
and joy. Because I lost my sister, I have learned to appreciate sister-like
relationships. There always seems to be a circle. And God brings me all the way
around if I let Him.
