How's Your Serenity?

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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.

Reinhold Niebuhr early 1900s

serenity: peace, joy, hope

world says these things are directly connected to your circumstances

the Bible says something completely different

Illustration with plato

our serenity must be directly connected to Jesus

If you have been in recovery for awhile, you have prayed the “Serenity Prayer” many times. Do you fully understand and appreciate what you are asking God for or has the prayer just become a “rote” habit to end your recovery meeting?

God, grant me the serenity . . .

Philippians 4:7 NKJV

and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

What does the “serenity” that you are asking God for look or feel like?

to accept the things I cannot change . . .

Romans 8:28–29 NKJV

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

explain conform inside out

Romans 12:2 NKJV

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

List some of the people, places, or things in your life that you are still trying to change or control. Why do you think you really have the power to change or control them?

the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference . . .

The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.

Psalm 29:11 NKJV

The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace.

There are really only 3 of them!

· You can change your attitude

· You can change your acceptance

· You can change your actions

When you change your attitude—You change your mind and the way you think about others.

When you change your acceptance—You change your heart and the way you feel about others.

When you change your actions—You change the way you relate to others.

James 1:5 NKJV

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time . . .

Matthew 6:34 NKJV

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

· If we stay stuck in the failures of our past, we can’t find the serenity that we desire today in the present.

· If you are always worrying about and dreading the future, you can’t find the serenity of today.

· Worrying never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only steals today of its strength.

How do you stay focused on today? Describe how you felt the last time you slowed down long enough to enjoy the moment.

accepting hardship as a pathway to peace . . .

1 Peter 5:10 NKJV

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

James 1:2–4 NKJV

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

How did Christ help you through your latest hardship or struggle?

taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it . . .

Proverbs 15:3,11

Proverbs 15:11 NKJV

Hell and Destruction are before the Lord; So how much more the hearts of the sons of men.

Matthew 5:13–16 NKJV

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

How are you trying to change the world? With whose power? Are you trying to base your “serenity” on the world or the Word?

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.

Proverbs 16:3 NKJV

Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established.

John 14:27 NKJV

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Describe the difference between being “reasonably happy” and “supremely happy.”

illustration of PERCEPTION

invitation