Discouraged? Stand Strong!

Families have a lot of problems. Lies, betrayal, divorce, anger, violence — all add up to discouragement. Sometimes we feel, what is the point?! We might as well give up because so much seems to working against us.

But in Daniel 6, I am reminded of the power of standing firm in difficult times. Daniel knew this first hand. He was framed and about to be thrown to the lions, literally.

Prior to this, Daniel had favor with the king and was given power in his kingdom. For whatever reason (e.g., jealousy, competition, etc.), those under Daniel's rule plotted a way to entrap Daniel so that the king would have to get rid of him.

The way they entrapped Daniel was to find him doing the thing they could not stop him from doing - praying. Prayer was what centered Daniel, kept him connected to God and trusting in Him. Prayer helped Daniel confront a dangerous culture and stand in the midst of opposition. In prayer, Daniel could hold on to God and His promises. He could withstand the attacks on his life.

Daniel teaches us to trust God in a difficult world, to pray God's promises even when we are in the pit and want to give up. We look for signs of his mercy even when things look bleak. That's what spring does for me. It reminds me that in the winter of my soul, new life is about to bloom.

God is faithful even when we have no idea how things will turn out. God is in the pit with us. Daniel's faith had legs. Facing the lions, he chose to trust God. Literally in the pit, he believed God was with Him whether he delivered him or not. Daniel chose to leave the results to God. Good or bad, God was not his genie on a string. God was in control and would be faithful to Daniel until the end.

This is the kind of faith we must have in difficult times. We look around and things don't make sense. But, God is in present and controls our future. When we face our lion's den, God is perfectly capable of shutting the mouths of our accusers (the lions) or taking us home to be with Him.

Blessed be the name of Lord, who gives and takes away. Can we say this in troubled times? Do we bless the Lord and trust Him for our future? Faith says we do despite what pit we find ourselves in.

By Linda Mintle