So, yesterday I was in a pit. But today, I am choosing to be thank-full instead of pity-full. With each thing I verbalize my thankfulness for, it is like a stepping stone out of the pit.
Interestingly enough, there is always a Bible character that you can read about who found themselves in the pit as well. I mean, God's people have a tendency to be pit dwellers. But, the beautiful thing about the Bible stories is God always shows the way out.
In Daniel 6:10, Daniel had just learned that if anyone was caught praying to anyone else besides King Darius, then they would be thrown into the Lion's Den. That's a serious pit! But Daniel's reaction is amazing.
He went home, threw his windows open, and prayed anyway. I'm not thinking he did this because he felt good. I'm imagining he felt like anyone would feel if their life was in danger. But he rose above his feelings to make a choice.
And do you know what he chose to pray?
"God, save me"? No.
"God, it's not fair"? No.
"God, this is too much"? No.
"God, help me face this with courage"? No.
"God, smite my enemies and wipe them out"? No.
What Daniel prayed is a powerful lesson for me.
Daniel prayed, "Thank you God." That's right the Bible said Danial prayed prayers of Thanksgiving just as he had done before.
What this teaches me is three things. First, that Daniel had a habit of being thankful therefore, God -who God is and what God provides- was front and center in Daniel's heart.
Secondly, being a thankful person helped Daniel combat fear and feelings of being overwhelmed. Never once does the story mention Daniel trying to hide. He threw his windows open and made sure people saw him praying! Daniel knew that if God saved him from the lions, he would be okay. Daniel also had peace that if God did not save him from the lions, he would be in heaven with God and therefore okay.
Lastly, Daniel's unwavering faith in God, made a lasting impression on others. At the end of Daniel's lion den experience, King Darius says in verse 26 that Daniel's God, our God, is the living God who endures forever!"
God, I know it is normal for us to sometimes find ourselves in a pit. But we don't have to stay there. Thank you for providing your timeless truths that prove to us over and over again, how powerfully capable You always are.
So, I'm off on the ten hour drive to my mom's with a new attitude. Prayers of Thanksgiving won't just be said over my turkey dinner this year. They will be prayed all throughout my journey!
May it be so for you as well. Have a Thank-FULL Thanksgiving! Comment below what you are most thankful for today.
And for those of you coming to Southbrook Church this weekend, I'll be there speaking all 4 services. Can't wait to see you!
Interestingly enough, there is always a Bible character that you can read about who found themselves in the pit as well. I mean, God's people have a tendency to be pit dwellers. But, the beautiful thing about the Bible stories is God always shows the way out.
In Daniel 6:10, Daniel had just learned that if anyone was caught praying to anyone else besides King Darius, then they would be thrown into the Lion's Den. That's a serious pit! But Daniel's reaction is amazing.
He went home, threw his windows open, and prayed anyway. I'm not thinking he did this because he felt good. I'm imagining he felt like anyone would feel if their life was in danger. But he rose above his feelings to make a choice.
And do you know what he chose to pray?
"God, save me"? No.
"God, it's not fair"? No.
"God, this is too much"? No.
"God, help me face this with courage"? No.
"God, smite my enemies and wipe them out"? No.
What Daniel prayed is a powerful lesson for me.
Daniel prayed, "Thank you God." That's right the Bible said Danial prayed prayers of Thanksgiving just as he had done before.
What this teaches me is three things. First, that Daniel had a habit of being thankful therefore, God -who God is and what God provides- was front and center in Daniel's heart.
Secondly, being a thankful person helped Daniel combat fear and feelings of being overwhelmed. Never once does the story mention Daniel trying to hide. He threw his windows open and made sure people saw him praying! Daniel knew that if God saved him from the lions, he would be okay. Daniel also had peace that if God did not save him from the lions, he would be in heaven with God and therefore okay.
Lastly, Daniel's unwavering faith in God, made a lasting impression on others. At the end of Daniel's lion den experience, King Darius says in verse 26 that Daniel's God, our God, is the living God who endures forever!"
God, I know it is normal for us to sometimes find ourselves in a pit. But we don't have to stay there. Thank you for providing your timeless truths that prove to us over and over again, how powerfully capable You always are.
So, I'm off on the ten hour drive to my mom's with a new attitude. Prayers of Thanksgiving won't just be said over my turkey dinner this year. They will be prayed all throughout my journey!
May it be so for you as well. Have a Thank-FULL Thanksgiving! Comment below what you are most thankful for today.
And for those of you coming to Southbrook Church this weekend, I'll be there speaking all 4 services. Can't wait to see you!
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