06/15/07

Permalink 07:03:48 am, Step(s): Serenity, 240 words   English (US)

Wisely Chosen Battles

"For by wise guidance thou shalt make thy war; And in the multitude of counsellors there is safety." (Proverbs 24:6). "Where no wise guidance is, the people falleth; But in the multitude of counsellors there is safety." (Proverbs 11:14). "Where there is no counsel, purposes are disappointed; But in the multitude of counsellors they are established." (Proverbs 15:22). "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (James 1:5).

Asking God for "courage to change the things I can" is good, but even if I can change something, does that mean I always should? Could it be that something I think needs changed really doesn't? Is it possible that I may be wrong? Now that's a humbling thought...

And, what about those times when I can prove that I'm right, and I am able to change something? Is it always prudent to do so? What would be the cost of that "battle"? Is this a "hill" that I'm willing to "die" on? Will relationships be severed because of my need to be right? Or, is it of such a nature that something must be done, regardless of the cost, like when Jesus cleansed the temple (John 2:13-17)?

It occurs to me that if Solomon -- the wisest man that ever lived -- needed counselors (1 Chronicles 27:32-34), then maybe I don't have all the answers either. I often claim God's promise to grant us wisdom (James 1:5). I always need wisdom to make good decisions, and I need wisdom to choose wise counselors.

And so, I might like to add to the serenity prayer -- maybe, something like this:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
wisdom to know the difference;
and wisdom to know if I should;
and please surround me with wise counselors...

02/16/06

Permalink 09:29:57 am, Step(s): Serenity, 95 words   English (US)

The Serenity Prayer

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.
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.
--Reinhold Niebuhr

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