Hold Fast in Hard Times — Consistency Counts (Day 15)

Consistency Counts
I wish I could have more of a Mr. Rogers mentality sometimes.Β Β  I could use his calm temperament on difficult days.Β  Fred Rogers was a man of precise habits and traditions.Β  He did the same things every day, and his inner serenity was not impacted by outward circumstances.Β  I’m not sure that I am always a desirable neighbor — especially when my heart is anxious, and I am flailing around trying to organize my racing thoughts.

Granted, Mr. Rogers lived in a make believe world, and I do not.Β  But, the fact is that this world is not really my home.Β  I am “just a passing through.”Β  I need to take my focus off the here and now and envision the greater glory to come.

When I read my Bible, there is one person besides Jesus who I realize would have made a great Old Testament Mr. Rogers.Β  As I read the book of Daniel, I see consistency in every circumstance.Β  Poor Daniel had the rug pulled out from under him so many times, but he was always as cool as a cucumber.

You won’t find Daniel stuffing himself with oreos to help him cope.Β  This man doesn’t lose sleep when he is under attack — his mental alarm clock is still ticking steadily.

When faced with opposition, I tend to hide with the blinds closed, and the lights off.Β  My welcome mat gets pulled inside, and the front door sign says “nobody is home.”Β  Not Daniel.Β Β  He is at his post — windows open to the world.

Daniel kept his daily appointment with God, no matter what.Β  He was a disciplined man who feared God above all.

The practice of prayer is the key.Β  Daniel understood that he needed God’s strength to face his day.Β  He made prayer a priority on sunny days and on rainy ones.

Tomorrow is a new day.Β  I cannot control what crazy circumstances my come by way, but I can settle my heart and determine to stick to the stuff like Daniel did.Β  I can quietly choose to make every day a good day in my neighborhood.

 

 

Serve only the Lord your God and fear Him alone.

Obey His commands, listen to His voice, and cling to Him.

Deuteronomy 13:4, NLT

 

 

I’m joining The Nester and friends for #write31daysΒ and sharing “Consistency Counts” with like-minded sisters at Coffee for Your Heart, Tell His Story,Β Spiritual Sundays, Recommendation Saturday, Faith-Filled Friday, Essential Fridays, and Thriving Thursday.

To see all of the posts in this series, head on over here.

write31days

7 Comments

  1. A good word, Lyli. I wonder why it is so hard for me to do what I know I need to do? Case in point, daily prayer, drawing on His strength. The benefits far outweigh the cost of diligence. And yet I continually digress. I’m so thankful that His mercies are new every morning! Enjoying your #write31days topic! Blessings.

  2. Lyli, I am visiting from Holley Gerth and like your post. You are so right there is nothing like faith that can get us through a not so good in the neighborhood day–of course a few oreos don’t hurt either πŸ™‚

  3. I’m full aware of the difference in my day when I choose to begin my morning with Him and those I decide to push Him to the side. Unfortunately, I still have those days when I lose sight of the benefits of beginning (and ending) with Him. Great and needed reminder. And I always love references to Mr. Rogers. πŸ™‚
    Love you, friend. Thank you for all your retweet love!
    xoxo

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