“Let go… Let God”
The stakes are high for you and your loved ones. You need a solution.
Could it be so simple as to “Let go and let God”?
This phrase is common in recovery groups for a reason. It’s an important principle in recovery but it can be a tough phrase to wrap your head around.
Let go. Maybe it sounds overly simple, a bit lofty, or even irresponsible. Does this mean you’re supposed to let go of people, places and things that are meaningful to you? You can’t let go of your responsibilities, or let down the people who depend on you, right?
And let God… do what? Fix all your problems? Is God going to pay your bills, convince others of your value, change the world you endure?
Practically speaking, “Let go and let God” is to state the obvious; there’s much going on in your life that’s outside of your control.
It’s important to learn to understand what is yours to handle and what is better left in God’s hands.
The Serenity Prayer
God,
Grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
and the Wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace;
Taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that You will make all things right if I surrender to your will;
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy in the next.
In Jesus Name, Amen
The Serenity Prayer has been credited to author, American Pastor, Theologian, Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971). The shorter version was eagerly adopted by the 12 step community not long after A.A. began in 1935. Founder Bill Wilson said, “never have we seen so much A.A. in so few words” Although other sources credit more ancient sources such as Augustine or St. Francis, the effectiveness is less about the origins— more about what’s being said and to Whom.
This appeal to God, from a humble heart is our request for wisdom, courage and serenity from God.
"Serenity is not freedom from the storms but peace amidst the storms"
This is a framework for thinking through and talking to God about what’s our responsibility (stewardship of the whole person you call you; Body ~ Mind ~ Soul), when to let go (serenity), when do you take hold (courage) and how might you know which is what? (wisdom).
Certainly worthy of deeper contemplation. You probably recognized the first stanza but the full prayer is profound. It directs our attention to the life, death, and resurrection—the hope that we have in trusting Jesus.
I invite you to slow down, meditate on the words, phrases and ideas of this prayer and genuinely seek God’s wisdom in this beautiful life of faith and recovery that you belong to.
PD
Read on to hear what God is doing through HRR...
Pastor Dan,
I just wanted to write you a note expressing my gratitude for everything that Harbor Rock Recovery has done to help me in my journey to change my life… On July 28, 2024… After about 20-25 days into rehab, I started to get incredibly and uncontrollably stressed out. I didn’t have a concrete plan to continue my sober journey, and I was scared to say the least… By the grace of God, my wife who had been working as hard as me, probably harder, to find me a safe place to continue my recovery, she was given your number from a friend she knew in the program… She called you as desperate as can be. She set a meeting for you and me to meet that next day. You graciously gave me an opportunity, a bed, a set of rules but most importantly love and support.
I learned many valuable things under your roof and tutelage… I am healthy and sober now coming up on eight months. I am in the AA program with a sponsor, and we are working the steps together… I am happy to share with you that I am back at home with my family, and I am hitting five meetings a week and perhaps more importantly back at church every Sunday…
Dan, I started this email to you expressing my gratitude for the HRR Men’s house. I would be incredible remiss if I didn’t tell you how special you are to me and my family. It was really you who God sent to me to set me on the right path to recovery. I will be forever grateful to you for that.
Thank you.
Much love and respect,
Tom F