The Power of Understanding

Understanding: Ability to know that God stands under all things; knowing how to accomplish; knowing in my own heart.

The word "understanding" implies a deeper knowledge of things. It comes from the old English and Scottish versions of the modern word "ken" which means "to know." By adding the suffix "under" we have broadened the word, allowing us to use it to describe compassion and sympathy as well as our ability to comprehend.

Whatever we are facing in our lives, our power to understand allows us to overcome our challenges, to transcend our circumstances and to be at peace in the midst of a raging storm. Understanding gives us the ability to respond, rather than to react. Whether our challenges are financial, relationships, health or spiritual, we have the power within us to move forward with courage. And perhaps, one day, we will look back and say, "Ah, now I understand."

In the meantime, we have no way to see the future. We have to trust. And perhaps it is trust that lies at the heart of understanding.

Trust in yourself. Trust in your higher power, call it what you may. I'll use the term God here. God creates us and sets us on our voyage. God brings the sunrise and the sunset. God brings us to safe harbor when we need it most. It is God as well that brings the rains and the storms and the doldrums. God is the water that holds us up and the wind that fills our sails. God is the magnetic force that leads the compass toward true north. And it is God that finally takes us home to rest at the end of our long journey.

There is a familiar prayer, posted on my wall. it goes like this:

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.

For me, that summarizes the power of understanding pretty well.

Serenity, courage and wisdom.

Forgiveness, compassion and understanding.

Simple words, but are we living them every day?