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Each year I choose a word to pray into my life for that year. My one word for this year is acceptance, and the verse I chose is 1 Timothy 6:6—godliness with contentment is great gain. I’m directing our thoughts to the power of gratitude—the incredible benefits we have as Christ-followers when we continually develop a heart of gratitude.
And acceptance is one of the great gains we receive. As I said before, gratitude is more than just being thankful for an event. It is thankfulness on steroids—taking thankfulness to the next level. When gratitude becomes a way of life, or an automatic response, it gives you the power to accept what’s coming your way.
Let’s face it: resistance comes far more naturally to us than acceptance. When life isn’t going the way you want it to, if you’re like me, your first reaction is focused on how to change it. And that often creates tons of stress and strife. We often hear and say, “Well, it is what it is,” right? And in a sense, that is the motto of acceptance—it is what it is.
Of course, that doesn’t mean we lay down and roll over when we need to do something, but life is full of so many situations we simply cannot control, cannot change, and must endure. We can do that with a heart of gratitude, accepting what we cannot change, or we can kick and complain and be miserable. Gratitude empowers you to accept what you cannot change and trust God’s promise to you.
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).
When acceptance comes more easily for you, because of your heart of gratitude, it empowers you to take in what’s happening without needing to change or fix it. It is what it is. Focusing on being grateful allows you to quietly accept the moment and respond to it in a Christ-honoring way.
There is great power in gratitude.