I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (Philippians 4:11-12 NIV)
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.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
Reinhold Niebuhr
I’d never really thought of the similarities between these quotes. I have prayed the Serenity Prayer many times during the time in my life when 12-step programs were involved. I have prayed it since then. I am just now however, realizing the compatibility between Paul’s words and Neibuhr's prayer.
I guess the combination of the two sum up my New Year’s goals. I need to accept my limitations. (I don’t have to like them!) But without Divine Intervention, they are what they are. They are things I must accept and learn to be content with.
Yet there are many things I can change. And I do need courage to change some of them. Some of the things that need changing in my life involve facing my own fears. As in my past few posts, I need to work on changing my thoughts.
Most folks don’t go beyond the first section of the Serenity Prayer and there is much wisdom there. The first section tells us what to do. Accept, change, seek wisdom. The second section gives us a game plan, kind of the way God’s word does.
Live one day at a time.
Live one moment at a time.
Find all the joy I can in the small things.
Accept that this is a sinful world –it is not going to go “my” way.
Accept the hardships along the way.
Trust Him.
Surrender my will to Him.
Know that one day, this will all be in the past.
Contentment. Serenity. Peace. Surrender. I am not sure what name it needs have, but I am placing it on my list of goals for 2012. How about you? What are you setting in front of you this new year?
Father God, thank You that there is a game plan for us. Thank you that we can look at those who have gone before us and follow their example. We are not now, nor are we ever alone in our suffering. We have You before us, and a cloud of witnesses around us. Thank you that contentment is possible, even in the moments we feel it is far away. Amen and amen. So be it, Lord!