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During trying times, I've found peace by shifting my anxious thoughts long enough to focus on a painting that bolsters my faith and brings courage to endure. Like this one. Several years ago, Daniel's Answer to the King popped up on my path. I learned the story of Daniel's miraculous survival in the lions den from my childhood Sunday school teacher. You probably know how the story goes. Daniel was 80-years-old when he was unjustly
thrown to the lions. Envy among his peers made them trick the King into signing a decree that they knew Daniel would disobey because he was faithful to his God. The decree had the kingdom make no petition to any God except the King during a 30-day period or be thrown in the lions' den. Daniel knew the decree, but was faithful and continued to kneel and pray to his God three times a day in front of a window, facing his homeland. When Daniel was arrested and brought before King Darius, the King was angry with Daniel's opponents who had tricked him. A decree was irreversible and sadly the King had to obey his own decree. The last words he spoke to Daniel was that he had faith that Daniel's God would deliver him from the lions' den.
Because of Daniel's long history of trusting God, he knew to turn his back from the hopeless human condition and stand at the window and pray to God while held captive in the den. He kept his focus on God, and not on the growling lions...
There are times in life when we are unfairly trapped in a terrifying situation with no apparent way out. The fierce, hungry lions circling round in our mind may look like a health challenge, loss of a loved one, financial struggle,
or
relationship betrayals. But, like Daniel, we can choose to turn away from the fear and look to God for the answer. To rise in consciousness above the human condition. Thoughts are things and what we put our attention on will magnify and grow. Choose to focus on God and not the problem, holds the key to open the door. God will make a way...
When it's hard to still the mind to pray or meditate, I've found peace by opening a spiritual book and reading a few pages. The author's consciousness is like a medicine restoring and uplifting my soul. A favorite scripture to overcome fear is the 23rd Psalm. "The Lord is my shepherd..."
Psalm 91, a daily prayer, also brings peace. God's insurance plan for our lives the psalmist guarantees the company of angels when we abide in God. God will protect us like a baby bird tucked safely under his feathery wings.
It only takes a little willingness to break the chain of negative thoughts and create a pinhole of light to penetrate the darkness. So the Holy Spirit can enter and bring peace... And we find we are able to relax... and breathe easier. Right in the midst of our fearful images, we are comforted with a palpable feeling that we are not alone. We are in the presence of God's loving angels. We are not left alone in the dark but are loved dearly. A peacefulness comes over us, bringing a lightness of being. God has sent his loving angels to close the mouths of our fearful lions, ready to swallow us up. And, like Daniel, victory will come in the light of a new day.
Daniel told the anxious King the next morning:
"My God hath sent his angel,
and hath shut the lions' mouths,
that they may not hurt me..."
Daniel's experience with an angel in the lion's den paints a picture of courage and faith in the face of terror. A reminder to look to God, and not entertain the fearful lions in our trials. Picture yourself in Daniel's place in the den of lions painting (Daniel's Answer to the King, by Briton Riviere). See yourself like Daniel... back turned away from the prowling lions, (fearful thoughts) as you stand faithfully at the window of light in prayer and peaceful expectancy. Prayer works miracles...God will make a way.
Love and peace,
Rae Karen
Rae Karen
Ref: Artwork: Daniel's Answer to the King, Briton Riviere (1840-1920)
