Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Google+ Share on Reddit Share on Pinterest Share on Linkedin Share on Tumblr When I pray the Serenity Prayer, I ask for serenity, acceptance, courage, and wisdom. The first word in that prayer is “God.” It is he who grants me these ingredients that lead me to recovery time and time again. For me, the word “serenity” is very important because it tells me I must remain calm in all situations, with everyone, all the time. But it is the word “courage” that gets me to change. Courage doesn’t only change me; people, places, and situations around me change when I become clean and honest. Courage! No more people pleasing to avoid a situation that must instead be let go. When I become courageous enough to be who I am and say what I mean without saying it meanly, I make a choice to allow God to change things. In the past, I avoided “making waves,” not wanting to damage or end a relationship, but now I often make a courageous choice to speak calmly and lovingly to address a person or situation. At all costs, I cannot be afraid to speak or fear the outcome. I need to be courageous, knowing full well that things are going to change once I make the decision to pocket my fear and go to it. This does not mean I do it in a reckless manner. I do it after discussing it with my partner in recovery and asking the God of my understanding to help me. Fear is useless; what I need is faith in God and myself. The Serenity Prayer will, through the grace of God, eventually grant me the wisdom to know I am doing the right thing. For today, I ask God to help me with my imperfections so I become willing to change the things I can and allow the healing to continue. — Anonymous
