"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time, accepting hardship as a pathway to peace. Taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it, trusting that You will make all things right if I surrender to Your will; so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with you forever in the next."
Serenity: What is it? How do I get it? Why do I lose it? How can I keep it?
God's word comforts us and tells us we can't find peace on our own. Where we've made poor choices and brought pain and chaos to our lives, Jesus offers peace through the loving sacrifice of His own life for ours. Jesus willingly exchanges His peace for our pain: "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5 NIV)
Jesus not only gives us peace when He saves us, but He promises to continue to hold us in that peace as we surrender our day-to-day life to His care and control. The Holy Spirit gives us strength to choose God's peace over and over again. "Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful." (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 NLT)
Where our circumstances are made more challenging because of the actions of others, God offers us strength to forgive. God doesn't have just enough healing for our harmful choices, but God also offers us an abundance of healing and forgiveness -- enough to give away to those who have harmed and wronged us. God wants us to be at peace rather than harassed by bitterness and resentment and rage. Healing and forgiveness are God’s tools for peace in our lives.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT)
God is working with us every day of our lives. Not all circumstances change in a moment. God is aware of the fact that life will feel rich sometimes and empty at other times. God knows that we will face challenges that will seem great as we seek to follow a new and healthy path. There’s work for us to do, but God promises us peace and contentment while we are working the process. Peace and contentment are the fruit of making good choices today. They are not something we have to wait a long time to find. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-8 NLT)
Let's determine to live the simple practical ways to which God invites us so we can experience deep and lasting serenity.
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