hardships as the pathway to peace

A friend sent me a note …  praying the “serenity prayer” for me … 

God grant me the serenity 
to accept the things I cannot change; 
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time; 
Enjoying one moment at a time; 
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; 
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it; 
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life 
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

The phrase that captures my attention tonight is “accepting hardships as the pathway to peace.”  I am reminded that peace is not the absence of the storm, but instead, quiet confidence in the middle of that storm.

There is an old hymn that says,

Breathe on me, breath of God,
Fill me with life anew,
That I may love what Thou dost love,
And do what Thou wouldst do.

Breathe on me, breath of God,
Until my heart is pure,
Until with Thee I will one will,
To do and to endure.

The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. ~Isaiah 32:17