The Power of Acceptance

Learning to Accept the Parts I Wanted to Ignore

Self-acceptance always precedes genuine self-surrender and transformation. Before we can truly yield ourselves to God and experience deep, lasting change, we must first come to terms with who we are.

This process of self-acceptance is not about condoning our flaws or weaknesses but rather acknowledging them in the light of God’s love and grace. Without this foundation, any attempt at self-surrender or transformation remains shallow and incomplete.Self-acceptance and self-knowledge are deeply interconnected. As David Benner emphasizes, our understanding of ourselves remains superficial until we are willing to embrace ourselves as God does. When we resist acknowledging certain aspects of our character—our fears, wounds, or weaknesses—we remain disconnected from the fullness of who we are.

True self-knowledge requires a willingness to face these realities with honesty and grace.Sigmund Freud also observed that the parts of ourselves we refuse to acknowledge do not simply disappear; rather, they gain greater power and influence over us. When we suppress or deny certain aspects of our identity, they manifest in ways we do not fully understand, often shaping our behavior, relationships, and emotional well-being unconsciously. By contrast, when we courageously accept ourselves, we step into greater freedom—no longer controlled by hidden fears or unresolved pain but open to the healing and transformation God desires for us.Thus, self-acceptance is not self-indulgence; it is a vital step toward true spiritual growth. Only when we see ourselves as we truly are—and as God sees us, with both our strengths and struggles—can we move forward in authentic surrender and transformation.

I took a TRAP test as suggested by my spiritual director. When I first received my test results, my initial reaction was denial and anger. I didn’t want to accept what was written, nor did I want to face the emotions it stirred in me. But as I sat with it longer, I realized that the words on the page mirrored a reality I had often pushed aside.The test results highlighted a primary feeling of anxiety—an overwhelming sense that catastrophe could strike at any moment, leaving me unprepared and incapable of coping. It described how I tend to exaggerate risks while underestimating my ability to handle them. This struck a deep chord within me as I reflected on how much of my daily life is shaped by worry. I often take unnecessary precautions, not out of wisdom but out of fear. At times, I have leaned heavily on my loved ones for reassurance, sometimes to the point of burdening them. The realization was painful but also eye-opening.

The results also spoke about the toll of chronic anxiety—the potential for panic attacks, the prioritization of safety over fulfillment, and even the physical manifestations of stress, such as psychosomatic illnesses. I had to ask myself: How much have I let anxiety dictate my choices? How many moments of joy have I missed because I was too busy guarding against potential harm?I also saw in the results a warning—that in an attempt to cope, I might seek relief through external means, whether food, medication, or other habits that offer only temporary comfort. This truth was sobering. It reminded me that true healing must address both mind and body. While physical symptoms can be treated, the deeper work of restoring peace and security must come from within.

However, through self-acceptance, I have come to understand that transformation begins with embracing who I am, including my fears and struggles. Instead of resisting my anxiety, I am learning to acknowledge it without letting it define me. Accepting myself—flaws, fears, and all—has given me the freedom to grow and heal. Rather than being trapped in a cycle of fear, I am discovering the power of self-compassion and resilience.Accepting this reality is difficult. It challenges the image I’ve built of myself as someone who should be strong and composed. But ignoring or rejecting it won’t make it go away. As I begin to accept this part of myself—not as a weakness to be ashamed of, but as something that simply needs grace, understanding, and healing—I realize that God sees my vulnerability yet does not reject me. Instead, He invites me to bring it to Him. Rather than fighting against my anxious moments, I ask: What is this anxiety telling me? What fear or wound lies beneath it? How can I bring this to God instead of letting it control me?

The journey isn’t about becoming “strong enough” to never feel anxious or panicked. It’s about learning to lean into God’s strength instead of resisting my own reality. True transformation begins when we stop fighting ourselves and start embracing who we are—because only then can real healing and surrender take place.In fact, as Freud noted, what we refuse to acknowledge gains more power over us. If we deny our vulnerability, it can manifest in ways we can’t fully control—through stress, emotional exhaustion, or even strained relationships.Perhaps you, too, have felt the weight of anxiety—the exhaustion of constantly trying to stay ahead of every possible disaster. If so, know that you are not alone. There is hope beyond fear and healing beyond anxiety. Self-acceptance is not about resigning to our struggles; it is about using them as stepping stones to transformation. This is not the end of the story—it is the beginning of a deeper journey toward peace and fulfillment.

In fact, as Freud noted, what we refuse to acknowledge gains more power over
us. If we deny our vulnerability, it can manifest in ways we can’t fully
control—through stress, emotional exhaustion, or even strained relationships.

Perhaps you, too, have felt the weight of anxiety—the exhaustion of
constantly trying to stay ahead of every possible disaster. If so, know that
you are not alone. There is hope beyond fear and healing beyond anxiety.
Self-acceptance is not about resigning to our struggles; it is about using them
as stepping stones to transformation. This is not the end of the story—it is
the beginning of a deeper journey toward peace and fulfillment.

PRAYER

Forgive me for my pride, for thinking I know better than You, Lord, about who I should be. Forgive me for rejecting parts of myself that You created with love and purpose. Help me to embrace my strengths and weaknesses, my wounds and my growth, knowing that You are at work in all of it.

Lord, I surrender my self-perceptions and ask You to replace them with Your truth.
Teach me to see myself as You see me—fully known, fully loved, and fully
redeemed. I renounce the lies that tell me I am not enough, that I must earn my worth, or that I am beyond Your grace.

By Your Spirit, lead me into deeper self-knowledge and acceptance so that I may walk in the freedom of Your love. Heal the wounds of shame and self-rejection. Let me trust that in Your hands, even my brokenness becomes beautiful.

I receive Your mercy, Lord, and I choose to accept myself as You have accepted me. Thank You for the gift of my life, for the ways You are shaping me, and for the destiny You have prepared for me. I yield to Your transforming work in me.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.