Embracing Acceptance: Faith Amidst Suffering and Grief

 

Summary

Acceptance is a profound theme that resonates deeply with the human experience, especially in the context of suffering. Through personal anecdotes and scriptural insights, I explored how acceptance is not merely a passive resignation but an active, faith-filled response to life's challenges. The story of my late husbands and the humorous yet poignant encounter with a lady at a breakfast event illustrates how acceptance has been a cornerstone in my journey through grief. By the grace of God, I have been able to accept their deaths, which has allowed me to speak about them with peace and even humor.

Acceptance is intricately linked to the cross of Jesus Christ, the ultimate symbol of love and sacrifice. The love of God is not a fleeting emotion but a steadfast will that desires the best for us. This love is synonymous with the will of God, which, though sometimes daunting, is rooted in love. Trusting in this love enables us to accept our circumstances, knowing that we are not adrift in chaos but held in the everlasting arms of God.

Faith, much like love, is not a feeling but a willed obedience. It is the fulcrum of our moral and spiritual balance, resting on the bedrock of Jesus Christ. This faith empowers us to say "yes" to God, even when we do not understand His ways. The principle of "doing the next thing" has been a practical guide in my life, helping me navigate through times of intense suffering and uncertainty.

The mysteries of Christianity, such as the Trinity and the incarnation, remind us that we are not called to understand everything but to affirm and trust in God's sovereignty. Acceptance is a voluntary act of faith, a recognition that our suffering is not for nothing. It is a choice to believe that God knows what He is doing, even when we cannot see the full picture.

In moments of doubt and fear, the promises of God provide a firm foundation. The peace that passes understanding is not a myth but a reality for those who trust in God's eternal Word. Acceptance, therefore, is not about passivity but about embracing the cup of salvation that God offers, trusting that it contains His best for us, even when it includes suffering.

Key Takeaways:

1. Acceptance is not passive resignation but an active, faith-filled response to suffering. It involves trusting in God's sovereignty and His ultimate plan for our lives, even when we do not understand it. Acceptance allows us to find peace amidst chaos, knowing that we are held in the everlasting arms of God. [10:11]

2. The love of God is synonymous with His will, which desires the best for us. This love is not a fleeting emotion but a steadfast commitment to our well-being. Trusting in this love enables us to accept our circumstances, knowing that we are not at the mercy of chance but are part of a divine plan. [04:54]

3. Faith is not a feeling but a willed obedience, a choice to trust in God's promises despite our circumstances. It is the fulcrum of our moral and spiritual balance, resting on the bedrock of Jesus Christ. This faith empowers us to say "yes" to God, even when we do not understand His ways. [11:27]

4. The principle of "doing the next thing" is a practical guide for navigating through suffering and uncertainty. It encourages us to focus on the immediate task at hand, trusting that God will provide the strength and grace needed for each step. This approach helps prevent us from becoming overwhelmed by the enormity of our challenges. [13:10]

5. Acceptance involves embracing the mysteries of Christianity, such as the Trinity and the incarnation, without needing to fully understand them. It is a recognition that our suffering is not for nothing and that God has a greater purpose in mind. By accepting the cup of salvation that God offers, we trust that it contains His best for us, even when it includes suffering. [28:48]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:37] - Introduction to Acceptance
- [01:08] - A Humorous Encounter
- [02:05] - Acceptance Through Grace
- [03:07] - Different Gifts, Same Lord
- [03:46] - The Crux of the Matter
- [04:20] - Love and Sacrifice
- [05:21] - Love's Inextricable Sacrifice
- [06:22] - My Life for Yours
- [07:26] - The Mystery of Suffering
- [08:57] - Chaos and Peace
- [10:40] - The Faculty of Faith
- [11:55] - Faith as Action
- [12:36] - Do the Next Thing
- [13:36] - Returning to the Jungle
- [17:45] - Letters and Peace
- [21:37] - Trust in God's Plan
- [23:49] - Acceptance as a Choice
- [28:48] - The Cup of Salvation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Acceptance in the Midst of Suffering

Bible Reading:
1. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 - "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work."
2. Isaiah 50:7 - "Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame."
3. Psalm 116:12-13 - "What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord."

Observation Questions:
1. How does the speaker describe the role of acceptance in her journey through grief? [02:05]
2. What does the speaker identify as the key to peace in the context of suffering? [03:07]
3. How does the speaker relate the concept of love to the will of God? [04:20]
4. What practical advice does the speaker offer for dealing with overwhelming situations? [13:10]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the speaker's story about her late husbands illustrate the concept of acceptance as an active, faith-filled response? [02:05]
2. In what ways does the speaker suggest that faith is similar to love, and how does this understanding impact one's response to suffering? [11:27]
3. How does the speaker's reference to the mysteries of Christianity, such as the Trinity and the incarnation, support the idea of acceptance without full understanding? [07:26]
4. What does the speaker mean by "doing the next thing," and how does this principle help in navigating through suffering and uncertainty? [13:10]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a challenging situation. How did your response align with the idea of acceptance as an active, faith-filled response? [02:05]
2. The speaker mentions that the love of God is synonymous with His will. How can you trust in God's will in areas of your life where you currently feel uncertain? [04:54]
3. Consider the concept of "doing the next thing" in your daily life. What is one immediate task you can focus on this week to help manage stress or anxiety? [13:10]
4. How can the understanding of faith as a willed obedience, rather than a feeling, change the way you approach difficult circumstances? [11:55]
5. The speaker talks about the peace that comes from knowing we are not adrift in chaos. How can you remind yourself of this truth in moments of doubt or fear? [10:11]
6. Reflect on the mysteries of Christianity that you find difficult to understand. How can you practice acceptance and trust in God's sovereignty in these areas? [07:26]
7. The speaker shares a personal story about her mother-in-law's concern for her emotional state. How do you handle well-meaning advice from others during times of suffering, and how can you ensure it aligns with your faith? [17:45]

Devotional

Day 1: Acceptance as Active Faith
Acceptance is not a passive resignation to life's challenges but an active, faith-filled response. It involves trusting in God's sovereignty and His ultimate plan for our lives, even when we do not understand it. Acceptance allows us to find peace amidst chaos, knowing that we are held in the everlasting arms of God. This active acceptance is a choice to believe that God knows what He is doing, even when we cannot see the full picture. By embracing this perspective, we can navigate through suffering with a sense of purpose and hope. [10:11]

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you actively choose to trust in God's plan for you today, even if you don't understand it?


Day 2: God's Love as a Steadfast Will
The love of God is synonymous with His will, which desires the best for us. This love is not a fleeting emotion but a steadfast commitment to our well-being. Trusting in this love enables us to accept our circumstances, knowing that we are not at the mercy of chance but are part of a divine plan. God's love is a constant force that guides us through life's uncertainties, providing us with the assurance that we are never alone. [04:54]

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt God's steadfast love in your life. How can you remind yourself of this love in moments of doubt or fear?


Day 3: Faith as Willed Obedience
Faith is not a feeling but a willed obedience, a choice to trust in God's promises despite our circumstances. It is the fulcrum of our moral and spiritual balance, resting on the bedrock of Jesus Christ. This faith empowers us to say "yes" to God, even when we do not understand His ways. By choosing to trust in God's promises, we align ourselves with His will and open ourselves to His guidance and strength. [11:27]

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you struggle to trust God. What step of obedience can you take today to demonstrate your faith in His promises?


Day 4: Doing the Next Thing
The principle of "doing the next thing" is a practical guide for navigating through suffering and uncertainty. It encourages us to focus on the immediate task at hand, trusting that God will provide the strength and grace needed for each step. This approach helps prevent us from becoming overwhelmed by the enormity of our challenges, allowing us to move forward with confidence and hope. [13:10]

"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." (Matthew 6:34, ESV)

Reflection: What is one small task you can focus on today that will help you move forward in a challenging situation? How can you trust God to provide the strength you need for this task?


Day 5: Embracing the Mysteries of Faith
Acceptance involves embracing the mysteries of Christianity, such as the Trinity and the incarnation, without needing to fully understand them. It is a recognition that our suffering is not for nothing and that God has a greater purpose in mind. By accepting the cup of salvation that God offers, we trust that it contains His best for us, even when it includes suffering. This acceptance is a voluntary act of faith, affirming God's sovereignty and love in our lives. [28:48]

"Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!" (Romans 11:33, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a mystery of faith that you find difficult to understand. How can you choose to trust in God's wisdom and purpose, even when you don't have all the answers?

Quotes

"Acceptance, I believe, is the key to peace in this business of suffering. As I've said, the crux of the whole matter is the cross of Jesus Christ, and that word crux means 'cross,' and it is the best thing that ever happened in human history, as well as the worst thing." [00:03:28]

"The love of God is not a sentiment; it is a willed and an inexorable love which will will nothing less than the very best for us. The love of God wills our joy. I think of the love of God as being synonymous with the will of God." [00:04:33]

"Faith, we might say, is the fulcrum of our moral and spiritual balance. Think of a seesaw: the fulcrum is the point where the seesaw rests. And my moral and spiritual balance depends on that stability of faith, and my faith, of course, rests on the bedrock, which is Jesus Christ." [00:11:21]

"Faith is not a feeling. Faith is a willed obedience. Action. Jesus said again and again, 'Don't be afraid. Fear not. Let not your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. Accept. Take up the cross and follow.'" [00:11:52]

"I do the next thing. I don't know any simpler formula for peace, for relief from stress and anxiety, than that very practical, very down to earth word of wisdom. 'Do the next thing.' That has gotten me through more agonies than anything else I could recommend." [00:12:43]

"And I have found many times in my life after the death of my second husband, just the very fact that although I was living a very civilized house, I had dishes to wash, I had floors to clean, I had laundry to do. It was my salvation." [00:15:24]

"And this vital truth was laying hold of my mind and my heart, that God really did mean what He was saying, that He was right there, and one of the verses that God had given me before I went to Ecuador was in Isaiah 50:7, 'The Lord God will help me. Therefore, shall I not be confounded.'" [00:20:43]

"Acceptance is a voluntary and willed act. God was giving me something to do. The next thing was, 'Yes, Lord.' Accept it. And that is the key to peace. Now, does it make sense to an ordinary human being to say, 'Accept this suffering'? Isn't it contrary to human nature?" [00:23:45]

"There is another level, another kingdom, an invisible kingdom which you and I cannot see now, but toward which we move, and to which we belong. And a verse which to me sums up just the things that I've been trying to say under this heading of acceptance is another seeming contradiction which I found in the 116th Psalm." [00:28:22]

"Whatever is in the cup that God is offering to me, whether it be pain, and sorrow, and suffering, and grief, along with the many more joys, I'm willing to take it because I trust because Him. Because I know that what God wants for me is the very best." [00:29:37]

"I need Thy thunder, O my God. Thy music will not serve me. I need pain sometimes because God has something bigger in mind; it is not for nothing, and so I say, 'Lord, in Jesus' name, by your grace, I accept it.'" [00:30:24]

"Now, my husband Jim was a fairly good carpenter and he built a very nice house in the jungle, a very civilized house with a cement floor and wooden walls and aluminum roof. He even built a wonderful water system by collecting the roof from the aluminum -- collecting the water from the aluminum roof and then piping it into the house so that we actually had a flush toilet and a shower and a sink." [00:21:53]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Jul 08, 2020. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?