When Life Is Not Perfect - The Story Of David And Daniel (The Bible)

Life isn't perfect. Some days are good, and some are tough. But as Christians, we have a God to turn to and the Bible, which is full of stories and lessons.

When You Feel Insignificant:

Everyone wants to feel important, whether you're a single mom, a person with a 9 to 5 job, or a high school student. Yet, there are times when you feel unnoticed or less valued, leading to wounds. David, from the Bible, started with a seemingly insignificant background but became a significant figure. Despite being overlooked, God didn't forget him. What David did during his humble days made him significant later on. 

The Story of David

David's Father and Brother Do Not Like Him

David, the son of Jesse, grew up as a shepherd in a family with eight sons. David was the youngest. He began his life caring for sheep. Jesse doesn’t seem to like David. When God chose him to be the new king, Jesse initially brought forward his other seven sons, leaving David out. Only after God prompted Samuel to ask if there were more sons did Jesse send for David, who was taking care of the sheep at the time. 

David's oldest brother wasn't very nice to him. In a recorded event, he accused David of being arrogant and wicked when he overheard David talking about rewards for defeating an enemy with soldiers. 

God Never Forgets About David

Even though David might have seemed unimportant to his family, God never forgot him. Over time, David became a great ruler of ancient Israel and Judah. What made David special were the qualities he developed during his humble shepherd days – his humility, courage (he fought bears and lions to protect the sheep), and his strong belief in God. When he proposed to fight Goliath, and others were concerned about his safety, he said, "The Lord saved me from lions and bears, and He will also save me from this Philistine" (1 Samuel 17:37). This shows that David's faith and actions during his ordinary days played a significant role in shaping his extraordinary future.

Takeaways:

In times when you believe you are not understood or feel unimportant, have confidence in the fact that you have a heavenly Father who created you and crafted a purposeful life and future for you. Understand that irrespective of the challenges you encounter, God is consistently working behind the scenes. He designs and knows your future. Even if others or even your closest family members perceive you as insignificant, remember that God does not view you in that manner.

When You've Had Tough Days At Work:

Work Is A God-Given Blessing

When God made the world, He designed people to work. Genesis 2:15 mentions how God placed man in the Garden of Eden to work and take care of it. Work is meant to be a blessing, allowing people to share their talents and efforts for the well-being of themselves and others. 

The Workplace Is Not Perfect Because People Are Not Perfect

However, in reality, work can sometimes feel like a "curse" or "burden" because people are not perfect. Workplace challenges arise when stress leads people to be rude, greed causes dishonest actions that harm others, and selfishness or wicked intentions result in lies or gossip. In some cases, this can escalate to workplace bullying. 

You might think that being intelligent and doing everything right should shield you from trouble at work. However, the Bible acknowledges that even those who work perfectly can face injustice and unfair treatment. Let's explore the story of Daniel from the book of Daniel as an example.

The Story Of Daniel:

Daniel served as a minister for five kings, and his career was marked by exceptional dedication. Renowned for his skill in interpreting dreams, he was a diligent, reliable, and trustworthy individual. His excellence led to jealousy among his colleagues, prompting them to plot against him. Despite their attempts to find fault, they couldn't criticize him.

To harm Daniel, his jealous colleagues devised a law that they knew would clash with his religious principles—principles he refused to compromise. This conflict led Daniel and his friends to face challenges like the fiery pit and the lion's den, all due to the wicked plots against them. However, through God's protection, Daniel and his friends emerged unharmed, while those who plotted against them faced the consequences of their evil deeds.

Takeaways:

Not All Stories Have Happy Endings, But Trust That God Works All Things For Good

Although Daniel's story has a satisfying ending, not all Bible stories conclude happily. There are godly people in the Bible, like Isaiah the prophet and John the Baptist, who did the right thing but faced tragic ends. Paul, another person in the Bible, suffered beatings, stonings, and imprisonment, and it's believed he was beheaded in the end. Despite these hardships, one verse he wrote remains impactful:

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Sometimes, minor work-related issues bothered me. Sometimes, I found myself imagining scenarios of being fired or laid off. Someone offered a prayer for me using Romans 8:28: 'And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.'"

I remembered this wise lady who said, "Release the fear and don't let work become your god. Work is not your god." She reminded me that even when things seem less than ideal externally, God has the power to turn situations around for good.

What May Seem Like Bad Things Can Turn Into Good Things

Reflecting on the crucifixion of Jesus, she mentioned how people around Him perceived it as a tragic end. However, three days later, Jesus rose again, transforming what initially seemed like a negative event into a positive one. His sacrifice on the cross paved the way for eternal life and a profound relationship with God for all of us. This serves as a reminder that, even in challenging times, there is hope for a positive turnaround through faith. 

Here are a few Bible verses to reflect on:

John 16:33 I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

When life seems unfair and far from perfect, how about practicing gratitude for the good things in life? Consider being thankful for the times when life grants unexpected advantages or an extra good day comes your way.