God Grant Me The Serenity

Sunday February 19, 2023

What comes to mind when we say or hear the word "serenity"? A smile? A longing? A regret? Serenity, for many, speaks of a sense of tranquility or inner calm. How do we find and maintain inner calm in the ups and downs of life? The serenity prayer suggests that we learn to be content with things that cannot be changed and take responsibility for change where it is possible.

For even if the mountains walk away and the hills fall to pieces, My love won’t walk away from you, my covenant commitment of peace won’t fall apart.” The God who has compassion on you says so. (Isaiah 54:10 MSG)

Some of us have never sought the healing and subsequent peace that God promises when we deal with the hurts of our past. We live in denial of the offences committed against us to avoid the pain and inwardly rebel against who we are, or what has happened to us. Some of us have simply accepted the bad, the lies, the wounds, the defective self-image, even to the point that it feels normal and comfortable. Too often this results in repeated destructive cycles of addiction and co-dependent behaviour.

Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace. (Psalm 55:22, 29:11 NLT)

Recovery is a time of learning to find serenity in our healing and blessing God, while also accepting life as it is, not as we would have it. Life often isn't fair. What happened in the past cannot be changed. However, God cares for us and will use even our most difficult experiences to enrich our lives today and in the future. Our part? Surrender to God, receive healing and blessing, and live in faith that God is making all things right as we draw closer to Him.

Prayer: 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. Amen

God Grant Me The Serenity

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