Accept, Repent and Forgive (a practical example)

My phone screen is broken.

It just happened. One minute it was fine, the next it had a short drop (about 2 to 3 feet to the floor) and the next it was broken.

All peace has left me.

AAAARRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!

Now why did you do that?

Not even two months old, and you are now broken!

Why did you have to land on that sharp edge and crack the screen?

What have I done to deserve this?

OK, it’s pity party time for sure.

As I then spent most of my energy trying to work out what to do next, I just couldn’t stop the thought of, “I’m just going to sit here now and sulk.” (Boo Hoo.)

I know, not very grown up. But there I was. Having my own little pity party, when a thought came to me.

You wrote a post a short while ago, “Accept, Repent and Forgive, there is power here.” Well, are you going to put it into practice now?

At the time I was not to pleased with that thought.
My phone is broken, was my recurring thought.
This is going to cost me money. (No I don’t go in for all the insurances you can get.)

And I just have to accept THAT!!!

Well, what else can I do? Just carry on with a pity party? (Not a good option.)

OK then, here goes.

I ACCEPT THAT MY PHONE IS BROKEN!!!

Try again.

I ACCEPT that my phone is BROKEN!

One more time please.

I accept that my phone is broken. (Hopefully you get the idea, it took a few tries to actually accept it.)

I’m still not OK with it, but I do accept it.

I am still upset, but funny thing, a lot (or a bit) of the anger has gone.

Now Repent.
I’m sorry I got so annoyed.
I’m sorry I was sulking.
I’m sorry I chose to jump into pity party mode so quickly.
Please Lord, help me to do better.

Now Forgive.
I forgive myself for dropping the phone.
I forgive myself for not have a decent phone case or screen protector on the phone.
I forgive the manufacturer for selling me a phone that so easily breaks. (Yes, I needed to do that one as well.)

Well OK, I’ve done all of that.
So now, how am I?

My phone is still broken, but, I’m starting to feel a bit more OK.
Not OK that my phone is broken, but I am starting to feel OK in myself.
Is that a trace of a smile I can feel at how silly I have just been?
Pity party, indeed. Who needs one of them?

I still need to deal with my phone, but at least now I can do it on an even keel.

I guess that there really is power to this Accept, Repent and Forgive idea.

One question though Lord.
Did my phone really have to die for me to learn this lesson all over again.

Father,
Thank you that there really is power to this Accept, Repent and Forgive idea.
Thank you that it works with the little things as well as the big things.
Thank you that we can come into Your presence if we are quick to follow Your prompting.
Help me to always hear Your prompts, and then to be quick to follow You.
Amen.