Stressful Situation

Warriors Arise: March 7, 2021

Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

If you have been following along with where we are in Daniel's life. He is in a stressful situation. Just awarded third ruler in the kingdom, under Belshazzar, who was hours later executed and Darius was reigning in Babylon. Daniel not knowing if Darius would kill him or give him a chance to prove his loyalties are not with the Babylonians, but whomever God puts in authority over him. We know he did get the opportunity to show Darius, but think about the in-between time. The Bible doesn't tell us how long it took from when Dairus came into power and Daniel is selected as one of the three governors under Dairus. But there would have been days if not weeks between.

• Was Daniel in prison because someone had told Darius of his rank?

• Was Daniel allowed to keep his quarters?

• Was Daniel rounded up with all of the servants of Belshazzar and put in a holding place?

I don't know where Daniel was during the time of Darius setting up his reign in Babylon but I am sure we all know what he was doing. Daniel was praying. He would not forget the promises of God. He would not embrace despair, when God had brought him through so much already and promised to return his people to Jerusalem when the 70 years were up.

There are so many variables in a particular situation we cannot control. However, we can control, who we turn to when a situation is stressful. Some turn to a friend or a family member. Others turn to entertainment to occupy their mind while others turn to the indulgence of food to soothe their soul. Hopefully, as Christians, we do as Daniel and turn to God.

I recognize at this point in Daniel's life, as it is written in the book of Daniel, we do not see Daniel praying. However, it is under Darius' reign that Daniel is thrown into the lions den, because he would not stop praying to his God. It wasn't as if Daniel didn't know about the decree signed by Darius, he did know. And the is how he responded.

Daniel 6:9-10 (NKJV) Therefore King Darius signed the written decree. 10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.

Since Daniel prayed when he knew the consequences of his prayers to God, then I believe Daniel prayed from he time he left Belshazzar's presence at the feast and every day following. I have no doubt Daniel was declaring Jeremiah 29:10-14.

Daniel knew how to get into the presence of God and receive His peace, the peace Paul talks about in Philippians. The peace that surpasses all understanding. Daniel should have been anxious, concerned, irritated and angry. But Daniel knew to position himself in the presence of God and remind himself of God's promises. Daniel knew the promises of God are yes and amen. So he could boldly declare the word of the Lord and believe.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

How can we be anxious for nothing when everything seems to be falling apart?

• We recognize the stressful situation we are in and the anxiety trying to overtake us.

• We position ourselves in the presence of God.

• We remember the promises of God.

• We thank God for the promises. They are our sure foundation upon which we stand in prayer.

• We earnestly request the reality of the promise.

• We thank God for the promise and the fulfillment of it.

• We embrace the peace of God and see how it guards our heart and mind through Christ Jesus.

Everybody experiences stressful situations. However, there should be a difference between how Christians go through the stressful situation and a non-believer. When a non-believer goes through a stressful situation, they are faced with hopelessness, discouragement, and despair. These lead to making bad decisions, hurting others, and missing the way out. But when a Christian is faced with a stressful situation we see the opportunity to rise above, reach out and help others, and look for the way out. We know God always provides a way out. He never leaves us in the stressful situation. Sometimes we remain because we take our eyes off of Jesus and fail to see God showing us the door.

If you have found yourself in a stressful situation, I encourage you to look for Jesus. Silence your mind and listen to the Father's voice. He will lead you out. He will set your feet on solid ground. He will meet you. Find God and you will have peace.

Father, thank You for Your amazing love for me. I position myself in Your presence, in Your arms. I desire to see You. The stress of this week really isn't that much but it feels like it has been snowballing for quite some time. I turn my eyes to You. I see You here with me. I position myself to sit on Your lap and hear Your heart beat. You hold me close as You love pours out into every part of me. My ears hear the promises You have spoken to me years ago. My eyes see those who need Your love. My body feels the presence of security in all You have done for me and continue to do. My mind is at peace with Your presence. My mouth will tell of Your wondrous deeds and the promises You have shared. You are faithful at all times. You are with me at all times. Your love is steady at all times. Your peace saturates my being. You have made a way out for me and I will follow You in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy Hand

My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus, riots, and lies. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.