By Nancy Virden (c)2017

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. 

-COMMENTS WELCOME

Today’s Helpful Word

1 Peter 1:18,19 

 “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors,  but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.^“

*The Serenity Prayer

If you are feeling suicidal, or concerned about someone who is, in the U.S. call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or for a list of international suicide hotlines, go here.

If you are suicidal with a plan, immediately call 911 in the U.S. or go to your nearest emergency room. In the EU call 112. (For other international emergency numbers, go here ). Hope and help are yours!

Always the Fight Ministries (ATFM) has been displaying compassion for those fighting mental illness, addiction, or abuse since 2012. Nancy is the founder and voice of ATFM and openly shares her emotional resurrection from despair. NOTE: Nancy is not a doctor or a mental health professional, and speaks only from personal experience and observations. In no way is this website intended to substitute for professional mental or behavioral health care.

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