God Grant Me Serenity (1)

Serenity: What is it? How do I get it? Why do I lose it? How can I keep it?  We ask for it over and over again in 12-Step meetings when we close with these familiar words:  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.

Serenity hints at tranquility, having an inner calm in the midst of the ups and downs of life.  It involves learning to be content with former things that cannot be changed in our life, and taking responsibility for change where it is possible.  However, serenity starts by giving ourselves to God, who is peace, and will fill us with His peace. 

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. (1 Thessalonians 5:23 NLT)

The process of recovery is a time of learning to find serenity by accepting life where it is at today.  Life isn't fair.  It isn't predictable or controllable.  It can be wonderfully rich in some ways and terribly difficult in others.  When we become willing to face the hurt in our lives and consider how we have reacted to it, then we can move forward in breaking destructive cycles. 

Our willingness to let go of the things we cannot change in our past will free us to make positive changes for a healthy future.   God offers us the serenity that results from forgiveness for the guilt and shame we carry for our wrongs as well as healing for the resentment and pain from wrongs done to us by others.  God encourages us through the forgiveness and healing we have received to offer the same forgiveness and healing to those who have harmed and wronged us.  Forgiveness and Healing are God’s tools for serenity in our lives.

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 4:6-7 NLT)

God is working with us every day of our lives.  Not all circumstances change in a moment but God promises us peace and contentment while we are going through the process.

©2015 Partners in Hope