Emotional Quagmire

 Acceptance is a beautiful word. But most of the time, crossing the other side is like walking into a quagmire.

For 40 years Mina lived in denial, anger and depression. When I met her, she was physically half paralyzed. Our conversation ran around her grief for her son's death, and her deep anger towards her ex-husband.

The journey towards acceptance is like that of the dying people.

According to Elizabeth Kübler-Ross, people who have received their death sentence through terminal illnesses undergo the Five Stages of Dying:

1.  Denial – "I feel fine."; "This can't be happening, not to me."
2.  Anger – "Why me? It's not fair!"; "Who is to blame?"
3.  Bargaining – "Just let me live to see my children graduate.";
     "I'll do anything for a few more years."
4.  Depression – "I hate myself.”;
      "I'm going to die... What's the point?"
5.  Acceptance – "It's going to be okay.";
     "I can't fight it, I may as well prepare for it."

Sadly, some people are stuck somewhere… 

The journey towards acceptance is oftentimes naturally long. Sometimes we thought we’re already there, but not yet. The key is awareness: “which stage am I now…?”

So whether we are emotionally dying through our desire to change something, or to keep somebody, or to let go, be aware where you are… You’d know when you arrive: you’ll be at peace and ready to move on…

Jesus made it more direct when He said:
"Truly, truly, I say to you,
unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies,
it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit."
~ John 12:24

Father,
Set our eyes always
To the day of Resurrection,
Where one day
We’ll be all together with our loved ones,
In Jesus’ Name.
Amen…

photo: cravensworld