Are you like a duck paddling upstream? Little legs furiously thrashing underwater, the picture of composure and control above water? There are seasons of life when this happens, but no one wants to make this a habit. It is exhausting. If you feel like a duck paddling upstream, what might you do?
The Serenity prayer, attributed to theologian Reinhold Neihbur, has wisdom for such challenges:
“God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things that should be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.”
Reinhold Neihbur
This prayer recognises we need God’s help to get out of the habit. Paddling Ducks can be too busy moving little legs to accept or to change. As prayer sets us in a posture of seeking help, do not be surprised if God’s wisdom comes through the insight of those close to us. We are likely to need their perspective.
Are you ready to move from thrashing upstream to cruising? To get started, take time to pray, then ask yourself a few questions:
- What is driving me (attitudes, emotions, fears) to ‘paddle’ so hard?
- Does this really matter? Why?
- Where is God in all this? What is He asking of me?
- What cannot be changed? What can be changed?
- What can I do next? Who can I call upon to help?
In Him,
Jason
Photo by Marko Hankkila on Unsplash