Serenity Prayer

“GOD, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change…”

Over the next several newsletters I am going to write about the “Serenity Prayer.”

God is the giver of all good things.  If you are like me though I struggle with the notion that God would allow things into my life that cannot change or better yet will not change.  If God is sovereign (which He is) then what in the world is he doing?  It is during these times though that I also come to realize that even though God is on His throne in heaven He is not on the throne of my heart.  I would rather have a deity that fulfilled my desires than to try to grow and understand what I can through unchanging circumstances.  This realization comes quickly if I let it.

“God, grant me the serenity…”  In quietness I can discover God’s abiding Spirit in my life.  He was there all the time but my complaining seemed to drown out the still small voice. 

Be angry and do not sin; on your bed, reflect in your heart and be still.
Selah
Psalm 4:4 (HCSB)

How does God move a troubled heart to serenity?  Do not sin, reflection, and being still.  Sin will get in the way of God’s work.  Sin will magnify and give life to many more anxieties than it will ever quiet.  Do not sin.  Reflection is a lost art.  We long to be told or entertained, but rarely do we reflect.  Take time to meditate not on what troubles you, but on God and His truth.  Finally be still.  Now I struggle with keeping my focus so being still mentally is not an easy task, but it is fruitful when I am able to do it. 

Now that I am in a place that God can grant me serenity what do I do next?  Acceptance; More on that next week.

God Bless You All

~BJ