Compassionate Love: Displaying Compassion for Those Who Struggle with Mental Illness   (c)2017 Nancy Virden, Always The Fight Ministries

Nothing changes if nothing changes.

By the time greedy and cranky Scrooge of Charles Dickens’ The Christmas Carol had been visited by ghosts of Christmas past, present, and yet to come, he was ready for change. His first act of reformation was just the opposite of greed. He bought a turkey for one of the families his selfishness had harmed. He then forgave his debtors in hope they would forgive him as well. 

One prayer, so recognizable and yet seemingly unnoticed by those outside of twelve-step groups, sums up our powerful hope for change. The first sentence reads, “God, please grant me the serenity [calm] to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and  the wisdom to know the difference.”*

A casual variation of that prayer reads,  “God,  please grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know that one is me.” This is why Jesus came – not to make bad people good, but to make spiritually dead people alive.

Nothing changes if nothing changes, so put your faith in his ability to save. He came in the likeness of a human baby, but he is God. Confess your sins to him and confront the ugly past and scary future with his love and new start. Forget the expected, and overcome evil with God, who is good. 

Your Helpful Word

*********Comments are always welcome (see tab below) NOTE: I am not a doctor or mental health professional. I speak only from personal experiences with and observations of mental illness. In no way is this website intended to substitute for professional mental health care.

If you are struggling emotionally today or feeling suicidal, or concerned about someone who is, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Hope and help is yours.