The “Serenity Prayer,” by Reinhold Niebuhr, sums up my thoughts for today:

“Lord, 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.”

Our current world situation gives opportunity to “flesh out” this prayer. Right now, we understand that we don’t have control over a good part of our lives. Truthfully, we actually never know what life is going to send our way. There are three things I have learned or am still learning to do in order to bring relief to an anxious and/or depressed mind.

Acceptance

Accepting the things I can’t change is the first. As I’ve mentioned before, this one is an important foundation to my life. Overthinking brings anxiety, but as I step back and let go, I find the serenity and peace I am longing for.

Courage

Secondly, what areas can I find the courage to change in the world’s current upheaval?  While I cannot change the course of events, I can be responsible as to how I react to all the chaos in life and the world at large. I know outer circumstances do not dictate my level of peace. Whether or not I am rightly aligned inside does.  So I do all I can to keep grounded.

I keep life pretty simple. While not burying my head in the sand, I stay away from too much information that will only be upsetting to me. I try  to keep a normal routine going.   While so many things are changing right now, some things never change. They are the foundations of life: the ebb and flow of tides, sunrise and sunset, and the seasons. I find it calming to take a drive and view the differences in spring, summer, autumn, and winter, those parts of life that always remain in sync. As I look at these things, I realize the God who ordered and created these things is also unchanging. He is not surprised by the course of events. And I trust Him. I find myself being thankful for all that He has done and is doing for me. This is how I can weather the storms of life.

Wisdom

The last of the three is the wisdom to know when to release and when to say or do something. Releasing does not abdicate me from responsibility. Sometimes something has to be said or done in order for change to happen. Knowing the difference is the most difficult part, and I pray often for that wisdom.