Radical Acceptance

I can remember back in the good old days. A time I had dreams and aspirations. One that was filled with hope, love, and meaningful relationships. Living as a teenager in high school, I was so innocent of how the world truly was. In my mind, everyone was happy. Good always won. Dreams always came true. But now that I’m twenty-seven, I’ve lost my innocence. I now see the world as it really is.

For this article, I wish to speak from the heart. It was the other day when I truly enjoyed my time with close friends around me. But later that night, I received a message on my phone that broke my heart. An old friend of mine was asking for prayer. It was back in my high school days when I met him. I knew he didn’t have many friends — both then and now. And he messaged me saying that he was struggling with suicidal thoughts. An obvious answer I gave him was that I’m not qualified to deal with such. I encouraged him to go to a professional, in which he had already done. He was getting better, but it was a slow process of healing for him. Today, he stated that he’s enjoying life again. The suicidal thoughts are going away, and his future is so bright.

It was through this experience that I realized a concept. From that one text message, it brought a memorable and bright day down to one of sadness and grief. Why do I mention this? Because it reminded me of how dark this world can be. Don’t get me wrong, to have memorable days is certainly welcome. To enjoy life day-by-day is certainly reasonable. Enjoying life allows us to care for ourselves, and self-care is necessary in helping others. We cannot help those who are sinking if we ourselves are sinking. I can say this: During bright days, I get back my innocence. I see this world as a wonderful place where everyone is happy. And it is absolutely a burden to see the suffering of others. Yet, it’s important to note we are to not blame grief of others in ruining our day. It’s not their fault. It’s simply how this world works. There is suffering in this world, and we must radically accept that.

My message is one to not blame our loss of innocence on the pain on others. We are to acknowledge that this world is not what we hope it would be… And I don’t know about you, but such motivates me to live that much more determined for Christ. We wish to live in our own little world to say that everyone is happy. We want the suffering to go away. We want to turn a blind eye. But for God’s sake — literally, let us not do that. The answer is to acknowledge that we live in a world that we don’t want to live in. To clothe the naked and feed the hungry requires effort on our part. But I have good news for you. This world is not our home. Let us work as hard as we can for Christ as long as we’re on this earth. To work for reasonable happiness in this life, and exceedingly happiness with Him in the next.

So let us end this article on a very, very bright note. In this current world, we will in-fact lose our innocence. And it will be a day-by-day experience. But I have wonderful news for you. A day is coming in which we will retain and keep our innocence. Where the naked are clothed, the hungry are fed, everyone is happy, and dreams come true. Let us wait on that paradise.

“Our father, which art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done. On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.”