Steps to Acceptance

There are four steps you must take to experience acceptance with God. The first thing is to forgive every person who has rejected you or harmed you in any way. As Jesus instructed us, “But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive you your sins too."” Mark 11:25.

This statement is all-inclusive: if you hold anything against anyone, forgive, and then God will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, God does not forgive you. This truth applies especially in our attitudes toward our parents, who most commonly cause the problem of rejection. Lives have changed when people have realized they have a scriptural obligation to honor their parents. (Ephesians 6:2) That does not mean that you ignore their faults completely, but you must forgive them and determine to honor them.

I have never known anyone who had a wrong relation to his parents who was really blessed and prosperous. Second, you must lay down the negative results of rejection: bitterness, resentment, hatred, rebellion. These attitudes are poisonous; they will infect your entire life. They will cause deep emotional problems and, quite likely, physical problems, as well. Thirdly, accept yourself and Fourthly find your place.