Accepting the Things You Cannot Change

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

I had no shoes and I complained until I met a man who had no feet.

Although it may be hard to admit, there are many things that we cannot change. No matter how hard you try some people resist change; some organizations refuse to admit they have problems and some leaders refuse to listen to wise counsel.

Instead, of consistently beating one’s proverbial head up against a wall, Christians have a better option. Paul wrote, in …

Philippians 4:6–7 NASB 2020

The following are a few guiding principles for appropriating that powerful promise. In no particular order …. First …

1. Remember your primary responsibility is to obey God’s will.

Jeremiah wrote, in Jeremiah 29:11

Jeremiah 29:11 NASB 2020

11 For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

We need to ask the Lord for the wisdom, grace and calm to learn, accept and obey His primary will for your life. Do not try to run ahead of the Lord’s plans for your life.

Peter T. Forsythe was right when he said, "The first duty of every soul is to find not its freedom but its Master".

Warren W. Wiersbe, The Integrity Crisis, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1991, p. 22.

Secondly …

2. Remember Jesus Christ.

Jesus accomplished 100% of the will of God even though He did not heal everyone. Jesus did not even spend time trying to change the political climate of Roman oppressors.

Instead, Jesus said, in Mark 4:31-32

Mark 4:31–32 NASB 2020

31 It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the soil, though it is the smallest of all the seeds that are upon the soil, 32 yet when it is sown, it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants, and forms large branches, with the result that the birds of the sky can nest under its shade.”

Look at life through the eyes of Jesus and see what can become through your efforts.

Then ……

3. Remember the promises of God.

Paul writes, in 2 Corinthians 1:20-21

2 Corinthians 1:20–21 NASB 2020

20 For as many as the promises of God are, in Him they are yes; therefore through Him also is our Amen to the glory of God through us. 21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God,

Take an inventory of all the precious promises you have in Christ and confidently know that He will fulfill everyone.

Next, we need to ….

4. Remember God’s priorities.

There are many good things we can do but ask the Lord for wisdom in being able to contribute to His priority ministries. Remember there are many activities that are not essential.

However, God’s priorities include worship, evangelism, disciple making and planting and growing churches. When you are seeking first His interests, other problems seem to take care of themselves. The Lord is eager to fight your battles for you.

Then there is that we must ….

5. Remember God’s training program for your life.

The Lord allows many things to come into your life for purposes that are greater than our minds can comprehend. Isaiah wrote,

Isaiah 55:8–9 NASB 2020

8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Remain open, teachable and flexible to allow the Lord to mold your character after the image of Christ. He is the potter and we are the clay.

Romans 9:21 NASB 2020

21 Or does the potter not have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one object for honorable use, and another for common use?

The clay has no right to say to the Potter, "Why did you make me like this?" (Romans 9:21)

Next there is that we must ….

6. Remember Godly men and women who have endured much worse.

Romans 11:36 says

Romans 11:36 NASB 2020

36 For from Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

Not all heroes of the faith experienced immediate gratification. Some fell victims to their circumstances in the will of God. Yet, all of them were blessed of God.

Remember …..

7. God’s grace is sufficient for any problem.

Paul writes, "Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take the thorn in the flesh away from me. But he said to me,

’My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

When we let the grace of God be our sufficiency, we will enjoy sweet rest of mind, body, and in our emotions!

I want to close with this illustration …

Today in the Word, MBI, October, 1991, p. 30.

When Corrie Ten Boom of The Hiding Place fame was a little girl in Holland, her first realization of death came after a visit to the home of a neighbor who had died. It impressed her that someday her parents would also die.

Corrie’s father comforted her with words of wisdom. "Corrie, when you and I go to Amsterdam, when do I give you your ticket?" "Why, just before we get on the train," she replied. "Exactly," her father said, "and our wise Father in heaven knows when we’re going to need things too.

Don’t run out ahead of Him, Corrie. When the time comes that some of us will have to die, you will look into your heart and find the strength you need--just in time."