Show Notes

Episode 36. Radical Acceptance

Episode 36. Radical Acceptance

"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective."
~ 1 Corinthians 15:10

As humans living in a fallen world, we often feel the space between our hopes and reality, and in that space we find disappointment, frustration, and heartbreak. Our relationships, our families, our work are marked by this hardship. What do we do when we are so tempted to either deny reality or wallow in the difficulty?

In episode 36 of "This Whole Life," Kenna and Pat delve into the topic of radical acceptance, navigating the complexities and challenges of embracing this skill in everyday life - especially during the holiday season. They share personal stories and insights on practicing radical acceptance, emphasizing the importance of Acknowledging, Honoring, and Accepting reality in order to move forward in hope and joy. From dealing with difficult relationships to facing professional uncertainties, Kenna and Pat illustrate how radical acceptance can lead to emotional growth and newfound possibilities. Radical acceptance does NOT mean accepting sin or giving up our efforts to work for better relationships and situations. Rather, radical acceptance allows us to move forward with purpose by clarifying our starting point in the present moment.

Join us for this hopeful, real, and relevant conversation!

Show Notes

  • Radical Acceptance involves 3 intentional steps:

    • Acknowledge

      • “This situation or relationship isn’t the way I hoped it would be.”

    • Honor

      • “Because of that, I feel disappointed, sad, angry, etc. and I can understand why I feel that way.”

    • Accept

      • “But right now, this is the way things are. This is reality.”

  • Radical Acceptance does NOT mean:

    • Accepting sin or evil

    • Surrender, resignation, or laziness in unacceptable circumstances (“It is what it is”)

  • Rather, Radical Acceptance is a means of moving forward with purpose by setting a firm foundation of what is real right now

  • More information on Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), from which the concept of Radical Acceptance is drawn

Challenge By Choice

Practice Radical Acceptance

  • Consider a situation or relationship that you’re currently unhappy with

  • Take some time to journal about the three steps of Radical Acceptance:

    1. Acknowledge the difficulty or disappointment

    2. Honor the feelings that you have about the situation

    3. Accept the reality of the way things are in order to choose how you want to move forward