Good Morning!
Today, I’m thinking about a passage and a prayer. I’ve let my thought processes go places they shouldn’t, mostly negative – Stinkin’ Thinkin’ in terms familiar to all who have been involved in AA. Maybe you’re wired differently than me, but I can get caught up in an unending cycle of connecting unknown dots. I may have only a few pieces of information for a situation that affects me. Then, I’ll go around and around trying to determine what might have happened in the past so that I might best understand what it is that is happening now. All this is absolutely necessary so that I can predict what might happen in the future. It is in prevention of future catastrophes that I can spend vast amounts of time. And, please, don’t tell me I am worrying. That is NOT what I call that.
Now, don’t get me wrong, there is value in being alert for warning signs and taking corrective action to prevent foreseeable problems. This is especially true when the likelyhood and consequence of failure is high. Think of it this way, it is wise to check over your car before beginning on a cross-country trip, right? Right.
I’m reminded of a familiar passage. Those of you who have been reading this blog awhile know I come back to this one regularly.
2 Corinthians 10:4-6 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
Then there is this simple 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.
I don’t bother with this prayer. Should I then wonder why peace sometimes is hard to find?
Father, I give my thought life to you. Let me be wise to attend to business, certainly, but let me also dwell on that which is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, and of excellence. Let me think of these things. Amen.
Copyright © 2018 Scott Powers