Today’s Monday Inspiration is all about letting go of expectations and reaching for serenity this Christmas season with the Serenity Prayer.
Be honest. Do you ever struggle with unrealistic expectations? Guess what? I do too! Maybe it’s because I want everything to be ‘just so’ from being the perfect wife and the perfect mother, to being an important contributing member of our family. But something happens this time of year. My expectations meter goes off the charts. As a result, it leaves me feeling stressed and anxious causing me to want all the more to let go of expectations and reach for serenity this Christmas instead.
Temptations all Around
Let’s face it, temptations are all around us this time of year. It could be the perfect Christmas photo cards from family and friends that arrive in the mail. You know the ones with all the family accomplishments listed on the back?
Or maybe it’s the impeccably decorated house on your neighborhood street that always takes center stage. Similarly, it might be the piles of thoughtful and hand-selected Christmas gifts that are wrapped so perfectly under your friend’s tree.
Who can compete with that? More importantly, why do we want to?
Is this really how God wants us to live our lives? Always wanting more but never being satisfied with what we already have?
The Prayer that Changes it All
Recently, I found a prayer that stopped me in my tracks. It was no stranger to me. In fact, I had prayed this prayer before and thought about it many times. But I didn’t know that this powerful prayer was packed with so much more.
I’m talking about the Serenity Prayer.
Perhaps you know it too?
Just thinking about a prayer on serenity calms me down. Because serenity, by its definition, means peace, calmness, and tranquility. And who couldn’t use these qualities this time of year?
What I Thought I Knew About the Serenity Prayer
American theologian, Reinhold Niebuhr, wrote the Serenity Prayer in the 1930’s. It’s best known as a few short lines:
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.
The prayer became popular and quickly spread throughout the world. Church groups used the prayer and it was later adopted by Alcoholic Anonymous and other twelve-step programs to help those on their journey to recovery.
But I didn’t realize that the prayer didn’t end after those few short lines. I learned that there is so much more.
The Serenity Prayer is About how to Live our Life
In his book, The Purpose of Christmas, Rick Warren speaks of the Serenity Prayer as a reminder of how to live to experience God’s peace this Christmas.
I recited the prayer often when I needed to let go of expectations and reach for serenity. But, this time, I read a beautiful prayer that went far beyond those few short lines. In particular, it was one that was packed with meaning but also instruction on how to live each day of our lives exactly the way God intends.
You can soak up the words of the Serenity Prayer in its entirety below…
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change to the things I can; and 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 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.
When Prayer Touches Your Heart
Have you ever read something and it seems to stay with you? So much so, that you have to read it a second time, and maybe even a third, just to take in the full meaning? That’s how I felt after reading the Serenity Prayer in its entirety. I realized just how much I was missing by only knowing the first few lines of this powerful prayer. It was what I needed to let go of unrealistic expectations and reach for serenity instead.
A Step-by-Step Approach to Peace
I’m all about a step-by-step “how to” approach to doing something. And the Serenity Prayer is just that. The way to serenity isn’t found by reciting those few lines from the prayer. On the contrary, it’s about so much more. Specifically, It’s about living your life as outlined in the remainder of the prayer. Even more, it’s about letting the words sink into your soul – words that are echoed in scripture on how to live a Godly life…
Living one day at a time
So do not worry, saying ‘what shall we eat?’ or ‘what shall we drink?’ or ‘what shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:31-34 NIVEnjoying one moment at a time
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10:10 NIVAccept hardships and suffering as a pathway to peace Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4 NIVTaking this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
John 16:33 NIVTrusting that you will make all things right if I surrender to your will
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6Being reasonably happy in this life
Rejoice in the Lord always; I will say it again: Rejoice!
Philippians 4:4 NIVBeing supremely happy with God forever in the next life
For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 NIV
Obstacles to Serenity
Self-centeredness can rob us of peace and joy. And so can unrealistic expectations. Namely expecting those in our lives to meet expectations that only God can meet. I’ve made that mistake many times with my husband, my children, and my friends. And even myself. I’m getting better at recognizing it when it happens so I can process the hurt properly. But it takes time. That’s why it’s so important to let go of these expectations and reach out for serenity instead. It’s realizing that serenity can’t exist when we place demands on ourselves as well as others that only God can fulfill.
Ponder the Serenity Prayer this Christmas
Finally, I know that stumbling upon the Serenity Prayer in its full form was no accident. In fact, it was just the opposite. Truth be told, it was just the reminder I needed to let go of expectations that no one can fill but God. And, instead, to reach for serenity this Christmas through surrender to God and his plan for my life. It’s the only true path to peace.
How do you experience serenity during the Christmas season? Please share in the comments section below.
I have this Serenity prayer over my counter next to the window in my kitchen where I say it every morning. I first found it in a pile of holy cards that my husband had. Since his passing, I say it every day to help me continue to stay strong. After I recite it, it brings me a sense of peace and reassurance.