3 Ways Acceptance with Joy Can Change Your Life Today

Acceptance with joy seems like such a simple concept, right? Well, at least on paper. That's because there's always something we can be angry about, or there's a trial or tribulation we're going through!

In these moments Bible verses about joy can feel foreign and far away (even if we know they're true).

But acceptance with joy can be life-changing. Seriously.

I know because I've experienced for myself how this mindset brings transformation to everyday life.

And if we want to live joyfully in this truth, we must slowly change our thought patterns a little at a time until they line up with God's promises about joyful living.

I want to show you how acceptance with joy can change your circumstances too!

Read on and let's get started.

 

Why I'm Choosing Acceptance with Joy (and You Can Too)

The sad truth is that we moms are surrounded by so many opportunities to be depressed, annoyed and angry about our current circumstances.

For example, here are my current challenges that tempt me away from acceptance with joy:

• I look around my house and see stained carpets that really need to be replaced.
• I look outside and see that my yard desperately needs a trim.
• I just watched my preschooler spill strawberry smoothie down his brand new shirt.
• My husband calls: “Did you forget that we had an appointment together at 10 a.m. with the doctor?”
• And I sigh as I hear my kids fighting—again—in the other room over that same darn issue.

Our messy family lives rarely reflect the Pinterest-perfect images we see online, and it can seem downright impossible to accept our circumstances with joy!

Our life's overwhelming imperfections can make us want to lock ourselves in the bathroom for several hours with an extra large, carmel-drenched coffee drink (make mine decaf, please).

So the first thing I want you to know is that I get it. I really, really do.

If you're feeling stuck in all the frustrations of every day life,  let me help you get off the hamster wheel!

I encourage you to find refreshment and to welcome acceptance with joy by going through this free 3-day Bible study that will help you grow closer to God. 

Let the Holy Spirit show you how to learn acceptance with joy as you learn a simple way to connect with God in minutes a day. 

Connecting with God through Bible study is one of the best ways to rediscover your joy! Download the free 3-day study here. 

Why Choosing Acceptance with Joy Makes All the Difference

It can be extremely difficult to choose joy when our everyday issues seem never-ending and, some days, unbelievably difficult.

But we must. We must.

If we want to experience true freedom and peace, we must deliberately decide–one moment at a time–to let acceptance with joy reign.

And as I've shared, allowing God's truths about joy seep into our heart through a daily Bible study on joy is how I've seen my own spirit (and countless others) be changed.

3 Ways Acceptance with Joy Can Change Your Life Too

Let me share 3 simple areas how acceptance with joy can bring real peace to your life, starting right now. I've included action items for how you can apply acceptance with joy in this situation.

1) Acceptance with Joy Is a Blessing Through Life's Transitions

Sometimes there isn't a 5-step solution to life's problems. Hard times can be messy and complicated, and sometimes the best thing we can do is accept our challenging circumstances with joy.

Try this to discover acceptance with joy: 

• Instead of bemoaning the wait, choose to discover what you can learn about yourself and others through the transition. God promises blessings and joy through the trials, so use acceptance with joy to dig deep and look for them!
• What are your daily thoughts about this difficult life transition? Analyze your regular thought patterns so that, instead of allowing the in-between places to bring frustration, you can discover the rich beauty found through transition.

2) Acceptance with Joy Is a Way to Trust God More Deeply

Jesus taught us much about acceptance as an opportunity for deeper trust in God.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus wrestled with the agony of choosing to go to the cross. He didn’t have to accept that His fate was to be a sacrifice for all. He, being God, had the power to not accept it. But He chose God’s way because although he understood the cost of his decision, he also understood fully the wholeness and perfection that comes with accepting God’s way.

And that’s a lesson for us, friends.

Want to experience acceptance with joy? Ask yourself:

• If I believe that God is in control of every part of my life, then shouldn't I accept that what's happening right now is somehow part of his bigger plan? What purpose is there is fighting and complaining about it, especially if I truly believe that He is in control?
• How is this difficult experience causing me to trust God more, and thus, bring rich spiritual blessing into my life?

3) Acceptance with Joy Can Be an Awesome Motivator for Change

Acceptance with joy doesn’t mean settling, however. Acceptance with joy can be what spurs us toward change.

In fact, acceptance itself is often the first step to change. We must first accept, “Hey, I’ve gained a bit of weight” before we can be fully committed to a new exercise plan and healthier diet.

If we lean too much on being content with everything as it is, we lose the God-given ability to make much-needed improvement in our lives; and if we focus too heartily on change, then we miss the power of resting in his omnipotence.

It’s a daily–and difficult—tension, but ultimately, acceptance with joy means finding the ability to be content with whatever the day brings and yet still find opportunities for there to be a better way.

Consider this if you want more acceptance with joy:

• Ask yourself: Am I having a hard time accepting my circumstances with joy because I know that some real changes need to be made in my life?

Ready to Discover Acceptance with Joy? You Must Do This…

If you want to REALLY discover acceptance with joy, you can't just summon up all your “positive energy” and “think enough good thoughts” about your situation.

Trust me, I've tried. 🙂

It takes more. Way more. It takes a spiritual touch from God. He has to be the one to help you re-shape your thoughts.

And that won't happen by just reading a few blog posts about finding acceptance.

If you want change–real change–you have to let God change you from the inside out by immersing yourself in HIS truth about how to discover REAL JOY–no matter your circumstances.

You have to take action. You have to bring these truths into your life.  

And that's why I'm such a fan of the free 3-day Bible study “How to Grow Closer to God.”

We need to let God's truths change us bit by bit, and that only happens when we connect these truths about joy to our real world circumstances.

Day by day this incredible free Bible study will transform your thoughts by showing you how to apply Bible verses to your circumstance. 

 

Each day of the study, you'll use the 5Rs Bible Study Method (an easy Bible study method that takes under 10 minutes a day) to apply that day's Bible verse about joy to your life.

Watch this video about the 5Rs Bible Study to learn more.

This 5Rs Bible Study™ method teaches you to Read, Rewrite, Restate, Relate and Respond to each verse, and it's the first step of the Spiritual Growth Rhythm–a simple 3-step plan to connect with God in about 10 minutes a day. 

Learn more about the Spiritual Growth Rhythm in this video.

 

You've got nothing to lose and only MORE JOY to gain! 🙂

DOWNLOAD THE FREE 3-DAY BIBLE STUDY.

One Final Truth About Acceptance with Joy

Acceptance can be done as a drudgery—as an “I have to” act. But eventually the best kind of  acceptance—the kind that brings lasting life and peace—will be found when joy is the source.

Don’t get me wrong: Acceptance with joy isn’t a natural response (especially when you first start practicing it).

The good news is that God wants to help you build this new way of thinking in your life.

You don't just have to “figure it out” or “fake it”.

Let God show you how to discover His version on lasting joy–no matter the circumstances–with this amazing Joy Full 5Rs Bible Study™ Journal.

By immersing yourself in His truth, it will be so much easier to choose joy and acceptance!

Take the next step to discovering authentic joy with this powerful 6-week Bible study.

 

Other Posts on Finding Joy in Everyday Life:

• Want More Joy? 20 Bible Verses About Joy and Happiness
• Tough Mothering Day? 3 Powerful Tips to Turn it Around
• 5 Biblical Truths on Joy to Change Your Life
• How Can We Count It All Joy During Life's Toughest Trials?
• Joy Bible Verses for Chronic Illness Sufferers

And of course, don't forget to take the next step to joy by getting your free copy of the “How to Grow Closer to God” Bible study!