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| The Serenity Prayer |
Have
you ever told yourself, “Life is not fair?” Have you struggled with the reality
of the way your life has turned out? Did you have different dreams and hopes
for your life?
One of the best ways to deal with the unfairness of
life is acceptance-accepting that this is how things are and how you can find
ways around it to thrive better. You have to learn how to navigate your life differently.
If what you are doing is not working, such as, hoping and wishing things were different
in your life; you need to change the direction in your thinking and responses
to these adverse events in your life. Acceptance may seem harsh, but living in
the cycle of continual dashed hopes is exhausting.
Your life plan will not look
like everyone else’s life plan. Stop comparing what other people have and you
don’t.
Living in a continually state of surrender, and
letting go of control can be a challenge; especially if life has not quite
worked out the way you thought it would. You can try and control your environment,
other people, but you will end-up frustrated. Letting go of things that are out
of your control is a key step to acceptance.
We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.
Marin Luther King, Jr.
Focus on you. It is not your job to fix everyone else’s
drama. Accept the fact that some people may not want to change, and you have to
accept this reality. You may need to accept that some people are not good for
you, and learn to release them fully into God’s care.
Learning to let go of things that are not in your best
interest can ease stress and lift your mood. Trying to change people or
continually trying to fix them, will cause you to live in a state on
continually unrest.
When you begin to ACCEPT your life as it is there will
be benefits. Does this mean you should stop praying, believing, and hoping? Absolutely
not! However, you may need to step into the reality of how things are right now,
but always keep the door of hope open. If you are living in a state of looking
at others’ lives wanting what they have, or wanting a different life; then you
are in jeopardy of discontentment. Acceptance of your lot in life can bring
less stress, you will be able to let go of past trauma, your mood will improve,
your sleep will be better, you will be more content, depression will decrease
or maybe even completely lift, and you will feel more control over your life.
When you have things in your life that linger or that
bother you daily, it is time for a change. Many people linger on about things
that are out of their control, this can bring stress, depression, and anxiety. Learning
to count your blessings every day is a start to accepting your life. In other
words, what is right in your life? REFOCUS.
Instead of reflecting on what you do not have, start choosing to see what
you do have. Keep your mind off the situations in your life that cause you the
most depression and anxiety. Instead cast your cares on God (1 Peter 5:7). Cast
your cares, and then go do something else, don’t stew over them over and over.
Not
that I am speaking in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be
content. Philippians 4:11
And
He said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for
one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” Luke 12:15
What
are some things that you may need to let go of?
