Today I’m including an excerpt from my new book, Stepparenting With Grace: A Devotional for Blended Families. 

The book releases August 7th with Worthy Publishing and is currently available for pre-order!

Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?  Job 2:10

Thought for the Day: Acceptance of our struggles brings serenity.

“Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult—once we truly understand and accept it—then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.”

Psychiatrist M. Scott Peck penned those words at the start of his book The Road Less Traveled forty years ago. The book made publishing history with more than ten years on the New York Times bestseller list and sales of more than seven million copies. Its simple but profound introduction offers a perspective worth pondering, Life is difficult. In John 16:33 Jesus tells us, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Acceptance provides the key to contentment and an anchor of stability in the midst of trouble. We find serenity when we stop fighting the challenges of life and accept adversity without grumbling.

What are you struggling to accept in your stepfamily? Disharmony? Lack of unity with your mate? Uncomfortable feelings? Loyalty bonds to the other home?

Acceptance recognizes the reality of our situation without demanding control of the variables. It allows us to quit insisting others change. We let go of our need to have everything our way. Acceptance doesn’t mean we give up on our hopes and dreams, but it maintains a perspective of the present that offers a better understanding for the future.

We find a story of acceptance in the book of Job.

The author introduces Job as a “blameless and upright” man (1:1), and we would say that Job doesn’t deserve the difficulties he’s about to experience. Within the period of one day, messengers report to him the loss of his livestock, his servants, and his ten children. His response amazes me, “He fell to the ground in worship and said, ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.’ In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing” (Job 1:20-22).

Job went straight to acceptance. I’m certain my response would have been different. Too often, I complain. I question. I search for answers.

Acceptance means we name our problems and embrace our struggles. We no longer insist on immediate solutions or demand complete understanding. Instead, we take our problems to God and lean on Him as we wait for answers. That’s when we’ll discover contentment in the midst of our difficulties.

I don’t like the struggles of stepfamily life, Lord. I need Your help to accept they’re part of the journey I’m on.

Do you struggle with acceptance? How have you learned to embrace your struggles and take them to God? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

Stepmoms: Find your tribe at our upcoming stepmom retreat! You’ll experience a day of renewal and refreshment with those who understand your journey! Details and registration here: http://sisterhoodofstepmoms.com/upcoming-retreats/dallas-texas-2018/