Acceptance in Recovery: The Spiritual Principle (2024)

FAQs

What is the spiritual principle of acceptance? ›

The spiritual principle of acceptance is relinquishing control to a higher power of your choosing and believing that when it runs the show for us, we are in much better hands.

Acceptance is the first step in finding the answer. Acceptance means acknowledging the truth—that a problem exists. Acceptance of a problem should ignite a fire that demands action. Acceptance should serve as a catalyst for change.

Acceptance is the ability to allow people, circ*mstances, and situations to be as they are. It is a conscious choice to not resist the experiences of your life, but rather to permit them to be as they are and flow with what is happening.

Acceptance is the realization that your suffering, your anxieties, and stressors, are exacerbated in the moments in which you believe that you can successfully live your life or handle your recovery on your own terms.

Acceptance: Liberating the Mind

Central to ACT is the principle of acceptance – a radical invitation to embrace thoughts and feelings without judgment or resistance. Instead of engaging in a battle with the mind, ACT encourages individuals to accept the ebb and flow of their internal experiences.

"...God invites us to accept the inescapable realities placed in front of us. We can either turn away from that acceptance of life and continue on our own, or we can plunge into the 'reality of the situation' and try to find God there in new ways. Obedience in this case means accepting reality."

Acceptance means fully acknowledging the facts of a situation and not fixating on how it shouldn't be that way. This mindset moves us away from often harsh judgement of ourselves and allows us to break away from thoughts of guilt or unfairness.

And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing or situation - some fact of my life - unacceptable to me. I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment.

: the act of accepting something or someone : the fact of being accepted : approval. acceptance of responsibility. 3. law : an agreeing either expressly or by conduct to the act or offer of another so that a contract is concluded and the parties become legally bound.

First, there is the Lord's acceptance of our PERSON. "I will accept you." Our person must first be the object of God's favor and delight before He regards with favor and delight the offerings we bring. It was the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ which gave such virtue, efficacy, and acceptance to His sacrifice.

Why is acceptance powerful? ›

Accepting our feelings helps us to know ourselves better.

Without accepting our feelings, we cut ourselves off from our Emotion Mind, which, together with our Rational Mind and Wise Mind, help us to make healthy decisions.

Acceptance is Part of Recovery and of Life

It does not mean giving up and letting life just “happen” to us. Rather, it means accepting the things in life that are unchangeable (such as our past) so we can focus our efforts and energy on the things that can be changed (such as our future life in recovery).

It's easy to think that you have to be perfect. However, accepting your flaws and past mistakes can provide you with a sense of freedom during your recovery. Self-acceptance is essential in recovery and helps you cultivate a new sense of personal awareness and inner peace.

In the embrace of acceptance, we find healing and wholeness[8]. We no longer need to hide or suppress our pain; instead, we can hold it with love and compassion. Through the power of acceptance, we can transform our suffering into wisdom and strength, paving the way for a life filled with joy, meaning, and purpose.

The 12 spiritual principles of recovery are as follows: acceptance, hope, faith, courage, honesty, patience, humility, willingness, brotherly love, integrity, self-discipline, and service.

It is about being receptive rather than exerting resistance to what comes present. Instead of focusing on the past or the future or wanting things to be different than they are, we open to what is true in the moment.

Self-acceptance is unconditional—you can recognize weaknesses, but still fully accept yourself. To be self-accepting is to feel satisfied with who you are, despite flaws and regardless of past choices. Take 3 long, slow breaths while focusing your attention on your belly.

Power of acceptance refers to the ability of one person to accept another person's offer that is legally binding. The issue of power of acceptance arises most in contract law when disagreements arise over whether a contract offer actually was accepted.