God’s gift . . .

Seeking Serenity

“For Christ himself has brought peace to us.
He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross,
he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.”
Ephesians 2:14

Eleanor Roosevelt once wrote . . .
“It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it.
And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.”

Peace isn’t going to find you . . . you have to seek peace . . . you need to be observant, use your senses, your heart, and your prayers . . . and then seek, pursue, and work toward it . . . Then cherish each moment of peace you find, because these precious memories and recollections provide a foundation of calm, a rope to cling to, when the world is screaming in your ear. 

Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.
(Dalai Lama) 

Once you find these moments, those that reach into your heart and soul, hold on to these precious gifts from God . . . Keep your focus on the one who came as a child to bring peace into this world and is still with you today. 

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times
and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”
2 Thessalonians 3:16

INSIGHT . . .

Finding Serenity

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30

Do you find yourself yearning for calm in the chaos?

Serenity is defined as the state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled . . . It involves tranquility, quietness, stillness, and contentment . . . It is the feeling within, that everything is alright, especially knowing that everything is in God’s hands.

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me.
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.
But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33

Serenity in the Bible is that deep, divine inner peace and calm rooted in our faith and trust in God, rather than the circumstances around us . . .  Serenity is a gift of the Holy Spirit, leading toward an untroubled heart that is secure in God’s sovereignty, and grounded in prayer and the acceptance of His will. 

Biblical serenity is a peaceful trust characterized by a calmness of spirit, even in the middle of life's challenges and uncertainties . . . This peace is not merely the absence of conflict or trouble but is a profound sense of well-being that comes from a living, breathing relationship with God.

The idea of serenity is deeply embedded in Scripture . . .  it is where peace is often associated with God's presence and His promises . . . In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word "shalom" embraces peace, completeness, and well-being . . . In the New Testament, the Greek word "eirene" is used to describe peace, most often in the context of the peace that Jesus Christ brings to believers.

As believers, we are encouraged to seek serenity by sustaining a close relationship with God, trusting in His authority, and surrendering our anxieties to Him . . . Practicing gratitude, regular prayer, and meditating on God's Word can help nurture serenity.

What time in your day do you find the most serenity?

                  What part of your life could use more calm and tranquility?

Every breath that you take, every step you make on life’s journey, can be filled with peace, joy, and serenity . . . Serenity does not mean that there will be no conflicts in your life, but it does give you the ability to cope with it.

The storms of life can be overwhelming and overpowering, so our response should be to seek and receive serenity from God . . . As believing, trusting, hope-filled children of our Father, we can find strength and encouragement in the comfort of Christ . . . This will help us meet heartaches and challenges with serene faith, because we know that God loves and values each of us right where we are.

Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit.
Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever,
even if your whole world seems upset.
(Saint Francis de Sales)

INVITATION—TO TALK WITH GOD . . .

Remember to pray . . . a simple reminder, but how often do we get so wrapped up in the whirlwind of life around us, that we forget to pray . . . to stop or pause, take a deep breathe of inner focus, then talk with God . . . present the frustrations, struggles, and distractions that are pulling us outside ourself, and ask Him for help.

“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace.”
1 Corinthians 14:33

There are many ways that help us let go of the stresses of the outside world, yet we often forget how to find peace in the craziness around us . . . and we forget to go to Christ for help . . . Listen to what God has to tell you today . . . stop for a moment and listen . . . Christ will comfort you if you let Him.

For every negative focus in your life, look for a positive re-focus . . . ask God’s help.

How can you re-align your focus on Christ to strengthen your relationship with God?

Sometimes we take the gifts of God for granted . . . Our lives lack gratitude, and it shows . . . This lack of gratitude can shield the Light of Christ and the healing peace He brings, not only from us but from others.

Remember . . . thank God for all things, great or small . . . Be a shining light in the dark . . . Listen to God’s Word and find strength and pray for the sense of peace to follow you everywhere.

Again, take time to pause and talk with God . . .When you take the time to talk with God, you also need to remember to take the time to listen for an answer, though it may take time . . . and from personal experience, I can tell you that God’s timing isn’t always my timing, but you can’t force something with any success unless He is ready for it to happen.

It is all about finding the calm in the chaos . . . Keep your heart and mind open . . . your eyes and ears too . . . Answers come in different ways and at different moments . . . It could be a feeling of peace, a relaxing of the shoulders as you sense God’s presence, an answer in Scripture or a song, the sights or sounds of creation, or maybe just hearing your own breath or heartbeat.

Ask God to help you examine these two specific areas in your life . . .

Where are there chaos, stress, overwhelming expectations, or disorder in your life?

                         Where do you go to find peace, calm, rest, respite, or your safe harbor?

Embrace the answers God places on your heart . . . Ask Him to help you see what can give, what you can gain control of, and what you need help with, from Him and others . . . Take small steps and look at pieces of the puzzle one by one—just like you would work a jigsaw puzzle.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”
Psalm 139:23-24

One of my favorite “safe harbors,”—when I can’t seem to find the right words or the focus to pray like I need to—is The Serenity Prayer,  inspired by Psalm 139:23-24, originally written by Reinhold Niebuhr . . . I have included the entire prayer below, along with a couple other versions that might be needed sometimes . . . maybe one of them will strike a note with you, where you need to focus, while talking with God today.

THE SERENITY PRAYER
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 hardships as the 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.

THE OTHER SERENITY PRAYER
God, grant me the serenity to stop berating myself for not doing things perfectly,
the courage to forgive myself  because I'm working on doing better,
and the wisdom to know that You already love me just the way I am.

SERENITY PRAYER WITH A TWIST
God, grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change;
the courage to change the one I can;
and the wisdom to know that person is me.

ILLUMINATION . . .

Pause and consider for a moment . . . Isn’t it annoying when there is a smudge or fingerprint on the lens of your glasses, usually right in the middle? . . .Think about all the different things you have used to try to clean the lenses of your glasses, or a camera, or sunglasses . . . lens cleaner, a tissue, your t-shirt . . . Some work very well and others just make things worse.

When you choose the ‘right’ cleaner, just like when you choose the ‘right way’ to find serenity and peace in your life, it is very easy to see clearly and enjoy the results . . . But when you focus on chaos, or let busy-ness rule your days, just like trying to clean a lens with a dirty cloth, life becomes smeared and unclear.

It would be nice if life could be ‘cleaned’ as easily as your glasses . . . And it can be, if you are willing to let Christ into  your life . . . if you’re willing to let God show you how . . . Don’t be afraid to ask for help—He is waiting to hear from you right now.

Have you found a sense of serenity?

           What do you need to take the next step, to find a deeper calm?

                             Have you identified your safe harbor?

“For everything that happens in life—
there is a season, a right time for everything under heaven.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1

‍ ‍

INSPIRATION—PRAYING THROUGH MUSIC . . .

Music is the language of the spirit.
It opens the secret of life bringing peace, abolishing strife.
(Kahlil Gibran)

Music can be healing, acting as a remedy and tonic, soothing deep emotional wounds.
Music can be a refuge providing a safe space, helping to escape loneliness and chaos.
Music can be a connection to memories, emotions, or even a spiritual calm.

I encourage you to take time to listen to any or all the songs below . . . there is no right or wrong style of music—it is what speaks to you . . . listen to the melody and the lyrics and feel the response of your heart to what God wants you to hear . . . and I do understand that music doesn’t speak to everyone . . . and that is okay too.

♪♬♪ Current . . .  My Feet are on the Rock

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYwx3RZr1bE

♪♬♪ Traditional . . . Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8_XfUgRiwo&list=RDY8_XfUgRiwo&start_radio=1

♪♬♪ An extra . . . Oh, The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vUhwyjdk8A&list=RD1vUhwyjdk8A&start_radio=1

INTO EACH DAY AHEAD . . .

“And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.
For as members of one body, you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”
 Colossians 3:15

To find serenity in the days ahead, work to let go of the temptation to hide, ignore, or run from the bedlam and turmoil . . . let go of trying to control everything around you . . . There is no peace or calm in any of that.

Serenity isn’t freedom from the storm . . . It is finding inner peace within the storm—to keep on going forward . . . You can’t always calm the storm, so stop fighting it—stop trying . . . What you can do is calm yourself . . . Let God help . . . Eventually the storm will pass.

“In Jesus we hear a resounding “yes” to all of God’s many promises.
This is the reason we say “Amen” to and through Jesus when giving glory to God.”
2 Corinthians 1:20

Heavenly Father, we come before You today seeking the serenity that only You can provide.
Our hearts and minds are often burdened with worries, fears, and uncertainties,
but we know that You are our refuge and our strength.
You have promised to give peace that surpasses all understanding,
 and we ask that You fill our souls with that peace now.
Calm the storms within each of us, quiet our anxious thoughts,
and replace our doubts with unwavering trust in You.
‍ ‍Let Your peace reign in our hearts, guiding us through every challenge
and reminding us that no matter what, You are with us, and that is enough.—Amen

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focused prayer, and encourage a
growing relationship with our Triune God. 

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