The Serenity Prayer

Don't you hate it when you feel like things are out of your control?

As humans, we all - to some extent - have the need to feel that we can control certain aspects of our lives. Uncertainty leads us to feel anxious because we feel that we don't know what is going to happen next - and we feel helpless. 

It is important to recall that not everything is out of our control. There are, in fact, many things that we can control, and many things that we can change. For example, in an argument with a partner, you may not be able to control how they feel at the moment. You cannot go back in time and take back the harsh words you said. However, you CAN control things now by apologizing. You can control things now by giving your partner space and asking how you can help make things right.

Let's look at another situation: job loss. You cannot control the fact that you were laid off. You cannot control the sadness you feel because of this. However, you CAN control how much this impacts your mood and self-confidence. You CAN take steps today to search for more jobs, to improve your skills, etc.

Letting go of things out of your control and focussing on what you can control is exceedingly helpful and motivating. The first thing you should think about in these moments is that when you don't have answers, God does. God knows everything - and everything is under His control. Rest in the comfort of knowing that He holds you in His gracious and loving hands.

The Serenity Prayer is a short prayer by St. Francis of Assisi that summarizes these concepts perfectly. This is, in fact, the first page of my bullet journal - done on purpose to remind me to ‘let go and let God’. 

Give things up to God. Pray to the Lord and ask Him to help you decipher between what you can control, and what you cannot. Pray that He give you the strength and motivation to change what you can, and to accept the things you can't control. Finally, pray for the wisdom to know the difference between what you can control, and what you can’t… And to use these circumstances to develop your faith and trust in Him.



Feeling that you cannot control something is incredibly frustrating; the good news is that you can also choose NOT to focus on these things. Choose to focus on what you CAN control, and embrace the peace and comfort from knowing that God is managing your life according to His wonderful and gracious plan. 

Put simply: God's got this...let Him take control!

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