#1 Self-Acceptance
Just as the universe is governed by laws, such as the twelve laws of physics and the three laws of gravity, our lives are also guided by laws. As a therapist, I believe in the Eight Emotional Laws that shape our experiences. Like their scientific counterparts, these laws operate on the cause-and-effect principle. They reward us when we align with them and have consequences when we deviate. Understanding and applying these laws can significantly enhance our emotional well-being and personal growth.
The first law, self-acceptance, is not just one of the Eight Emotional Laws but the cornerstone. When we reject ourselves, it’s akin to receiving a gift, but instead of appreciating it, we constantly find fault with it. We either try to hide or give it away, thereby discarding the best and worst parts of us. This self-rejection makes us deny our uniqueness and conform to a mediocre, lukewarm existence.
Acceptance is simply seeing ourselves for what we are and saying, “This is the truth of who I am.” Jesus, in Matthew 5:5, describes this as humility. The Message Bible translates it this way. “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less.” We don’t put ourselves above others, nor do we put ourselves less than others.
God accepts us completely. Ephesians 1:6 says we are “accepted in the beloved.” In Jeremiah 31:3-4 God declares, “I have loved you with an everlasting love, therefore with loving kindness have I drawn you. You will take up your tambourines and dance with the joyful.”
If we cannot accept who we are, we pretend to be someone else. Pretending is dishonest! John 8:32 says, “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” Pretending is being stuck! We can never grow from a place of pretending. We can only grow from the truth of who we are.
Acceptance is the first law because it is the key, the entrance, into all the other emotional laws of life. So, I ask you, how are you embracing God’s unique gift that is you today?
God, give us acceptance of the truth of who we are and your love and delight in us. Amen
