God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the difference…
This passage though familiar almost immediately dives deep into the soul. Serenity is meant to be a state of being calm, peaceful and untroubled.
In a world of chaos and turbulence we have little to no control over our mortality. So how then can we attain true serenity? Where do we find courage and strength to do and grow in a life giving direction? To surrender to an almighty, holy, loving God and obtain wisdom from Him is the secret to true serenity! It has taken me a lifetime to learn this! For years I have tried to control and micro manage the world around me with little to no avail. Ultimately true freedom comes in surrendering that control. This is ongoing-“no sense of arrival “ but rather a continual letting go of will. Some of you will relate while others may find this weak or “just not your thing”. My response to that would be so “How is that working out for you?” When the uncertainty comes -and take my word for it -it will come! Where do you put your trust?
Mother Teresa sums it up eloquently –
People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, People may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, People may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, People will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you have anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.
Stress management comes from the Hope that is beyond our power-the hope that surrenders to the Creator of the Universe -the never changing God almighty! He knows the trillions of stars of the galaxy and names them-how much more does He love you and want a relationship with you!
Dear one-allow Him to know you today – just ask.
