There are many areas of life, which we
desperately attempt to control, but they end up controlling us instead.
Circumstances, people, illness, our supervisor, spouse, children, traffic,
waiting in lines, etc. all influence our day in positive and negative ways. We
often end up frustrated and hopeless because nothing we do will change the negative
issues we are facing.
The best solution for these problems is to
pray the Serenity Pray and to ask God to give us wisdom to know what situations
we can change, and which we must leave in His capable hands. We can request
that He give us the strength deal with the issues that He reveals are our
responsibility and the courage to turn the rest over to Him with an attitude of
acceptance of His will.
If we cannot change the issues, we can
praise God for them, in them, and through them. For instance, our spouse is
transferred to a city far from friends and family, and we and the children are
resentful about moving. The only way to overcome the bitterness that is surely to
follow is to realize that God has a new mission field for the family. A fresh
place in the world to make a difference for Him.
The move is no longer a problem, not because
we got our way, but because we changed our focus from carnal to spiritual, from
earthly to heavenly. God cares about every aspect of our life. He is not unsympathetic
about our concerns. He knows what we need, when we need it, and He will supply
all of our needs according to His glorious riches (Philippians 4:19).
Prayer:
Father God, help me not to attempt to control
life, but to live each moment of it in the center of Your will. When something
or someone disturbs Your peace in me, remind me to keep my mind focused on You (Isaiah 26:3).
Help me to walk in Your Spirit; and when something bothers me, give me the courage
to lay down that idol at Your feet. I have the confidence that You will always either
change me, or change my circumstances for my good (Romans 8:28).
Thought for the Day:
When negative feelings assail our soul, they
are attempting to communicate that something is wrong within. We can ask God to
show us the root of those feelings and the idol causing them. Then, we simply surrender
to His control, as we wait for His provision as only He can supply.
