Accepting Harship As A Way To Peace

 When we pray the full version of the Serenity Prayer, what are we asking God to do for us?  “… 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...” 

 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. He [God] gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. (2 Thessalonians 3:3, Isaiah 40:29 NIV) 

Jesus faced hardship in his life.  He was persecuted by the evil and sinfulness that brought Him to earth to die on the cross.  However, Jesus overcame death and rose to life again.  Jesus’ resurrection changes everything for us because we can now have the amazing power that raised Jesus from the dead living in us, strengthening us to be overcomers as we courageously face painful challenges. 

As we face the adversity of worry, irritation, stress and anger in our daily living with the God who cares for each of us, we will find that He is always faithful. God gives us everything we need to get through those hardships and what a joy it is to experience the peace that awaits us on the other side. 

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  (1 John 4:4, Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I’m through running.  I put my trust in You today to help me persevere through whatever comes my way and to have victory over it.  Amen