The Power of Acceptance — Part 3
Accepting circumstances
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1.2–4
I have had six surgeries on my knees — so far. It’s a combination of bad luck and bad genetics. I love playing team sports. I played football, rugby, volleyball, ultimate frisbee and hockey through my 20s and 30s. However, at 41, after my sixth knee surgery, it became clear those days were over. I ranted and railed against reality.
However, once I accepted the situation, I discovered many beneficial consequences. First, I had more time to spend with my teenage children. Second, I went on long walks with my wife (and the dog). Third, I had time to study theology at a local Bible College — something I had always wanted to do.
Accepting circumstances we would rather change is one of the ultimate tests of faith. Will we believe passages like this one in Romans or not?
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8.28
It looks to me as if Paul accepted his time in prison. Look at all the positive outcomes he lists:
- Acts 16:23–26
“After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken.”
Singing hymns and praying sounds like acceptance. What did God do? A miracle. Would God have done that if they had been moaning about the situation? I doubt it.
2. Acts 28:30–31
”For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ — with all boldness and without hindrance!”
Covid was pretty tough. Stuck indoors all day. What was it like for Paul under house arrest for two years? Yet he accepted the situation and continued to preach and teach the gospel freely.
3. Philippians 1:12–14
“Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.”
You would think that being immobilised in prison would be a barrier to the spread of the gospel. But in fact, the opposite is the case. Paul is not complaining about his situation but celebrating the advance of the gospel.
4. Ephesians 3:1
“For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles.”
Paul is in prison because of the Gentiles. Does that make him resentful of those Gentiles? No, he accepts imprisonment as part of his mission to reach the Gentiles.
5. 2 Timothy 1:8
“So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.”
Paul accepts his imprisonment as part of suffering for the gospel, and rather than discourage Timothy from a similar experience, wishes him to join him in it.
6. Philemon 1:9–10
“I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul — an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus — that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus.”
Onesimus converted while Paul was in prison. Paul does not lament his imprisonment but celebrates Onesimus’s conversion.
You might say that’s fine for Paul, but I’m finding my circumstances hard to bear. Of course, I do not know your precise and personal circumstances, and I wouldn’t presume to judge. However, I do know that God can use our challenging circumstances for good. Sometimes, that good will be seen soon; at other times, it may be far in the future or after we have left this mortal coil.
If you find your circumstances difficult to accept, consider using this passage from Philippians as an aid to meditative prayer.
“Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4.11–13
Ultimately, we cannot control all our circumstances, but we can control whether we accept them, embrace them, and seek God’s work in them.
Next time, we will conclude the series by exploring how to accept acceptance.
Your brother, Malcolm
