Serenity

The dictionary defines serenity as "steadiness of mind under stress". Many of us have heard of The Serenity Prayer - "Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change; courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference." However, it wasn't until lately that I discovered that those are only the opening lines of the prayer. The rest goes like this:

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.

Isaiah tells us of this kind of peace of mind in Isaiah 26:3 - "You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You." We are told of "a peace that surpasses all understanding in Philippians 4:6-8 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things."

So how do I learn to live a peace filled life?
1. Live one moment at a time.
2. Do not dwell on past or be anxious over the future.
3. Enjoy the life that God has given to me.
4. Realize that everyone faces trials and God gives us each the grace and mercy to face the unique trials that come into our lives.
5. Accept the trials that God allows in my life as His will for me and believe that He brings them to mature me and to teach me to be more like Him.
6. Learn to see this world as it truly is - not how I would like it to be! (Okay so I have control issues, but God is working on those too!)
7. Trust that He will make all things right in His time, His way and for His glory.
8. Fix my mind on God and the things listed in Philippians 4.

Father, teach me to surrender my will to yours, to trust You completely and to rest in your peace daily!!