God made a choice to save humanity from the penalty of sin. However, a choice needs to be made by each individual person to gain access to this universal benefit (Ezekiel 11:19-20, Romans 10:8-10, 1 Timothy 2:4). While God’s act of mercy was offered for all, it only benefits those who personally respond to God’s gift of eternal life

from a humble and sure heart that can see clearly because of an unbiased ego (John 3:1-16, Appendix 2E). You can respond with humility and gratefully accept this gift, or you can choose to respond with arrogance and reject it, a common reaction to an unwanted authority. Only you can make the choice. Let God’s selfless act of love penetrate your heart so gratitude motivates you to do acts, humbly. Self-driven acts, unaltered by the knowledge of God, shows no regard for the dignity of another but rather a primary need for self-exaltation without boundaries. ​Don't let false pride rather than Godly submission motivate your pursuit of self-focused desires (or greed as demonstrated by the attitude and behavior of Abel’s brother, Cain, as well as the betraying disciple, Judas; Houdmann, S. Michael, n.d., Matthew 26:14-16, Romans 12:3, Ephesians 5:15-21, 2 Peter 2:20-24, Jude 1:8-11).

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Your obedience to God’s Holy standards is motivated by trust which was birthed when you reached the limits of your humanity. It's your heartfelt gratitude and trust in a Savior that triggers a perspective change that opens your mind and will to God's unconditional love. Your humility towards the Holy Christian God shifts your focus away from yourself and results in your ability to magnify God’s name above all others, including your own (Psalm 100:4, Romans 1:5, 12:1-2, 1 Peter 1:14-16). Accepting the fact that you are powerless to change your addiction is another example of humility. The need for humility isn’t self-evident until you become aware that it is causing unanticipated negative consequences (which were revealed when you admitted the connection of your human limitations to the universal law of reaping what you sow). This awareness opens the door for others to speak into your life, which reactivates your openness to learning (Proverbs 19:21-22).  

 

When God is chosen as your highest authority, all debating about truth ceases and is replaced with a confident, obedient faith that shapes behavior (see Godly Fear Triggers Actions of Obedience). This attitude- inspired, behavioral change in you, changes how you interact with others. Sharing an opinion that you’re passionate about with a friend who shares a different opinion can be handled properly when you are mindful of humility. As a Christian, you no longer need to be ruled by self-preservation and pride, but by trust and love because of the security you have in Christ. You are free to be vulnerable and authentic (genuine, trustworthy, and reliable) because in Christ you are no longer ruled by the opinions of other people (Galatians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 2:4). A disagreement can end by agreeing to disagree because your value is derived from God’s opinion of you, not your friend’s. ​(God's goal in this situation is to keep the peace while speaking the truth in love, Ephesians 4:1-4).  

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If you find yourself disagreeing with a principle in the Bible, how you respond to your awareness of God’s truth will determine your peacefulness. As a Christian, you can’t expect to experience cognitive consistency if you disagree with God. Instead, learn His standards and make a course correction in your attitude and behavior. The Lord has given you His Spirit to guide you into all truth and holiness, but it’s up to you to decide to make it happen by changing your habits (John 16:13, 2 Timothy 2:15-17, Titus 2:11-13). Trust implies that even when you are unsure, you act on the direction of the person you trust. A Christian can push through the discomfort of uncertainty by faith -filled thinking that triggers like action. Knowledgable faith in God is being sure of who you can trust (Philippians 3:9, Hebrews 11:1, 2 Peter 3:18). Your heart-felt faith (belief in and trust of God goodness), not your false pride/ego, is what gives yourself the permission and motivation to learn and practice Christlike habits.

• Relook at how tension triggers resistance to change in Appendices 1N and 1O. 

• Relook at Appendix 2J "Self or Spirit-Controlled Personality?" to consider what might be causing the source of tension.

 

The serenity prayer is a way to cap your urge to control everything and, instead, turn it over to God (the God who loves you and wants the best for you). According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, serenity means “the quality or state of being calm and peaceful”. The words of the Serenity Prayer (for a peaceful life) by Reinhold Niebuhr:​

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God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the 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 with You forever in the next. ​