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

I wish I could have more of a Mr. Rogers mentality sometimes. I could use his calm temperament on difficult days. Fred Rogers was a man of precise habits and traditions. He did the same things every day, and his inner serenity was not impacted by outward circumstances. 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. But, the fact is that this world is not really my home. I am “just a passing through.” 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. As I read the book of Daniel, I see consistency in every circumstance. 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. 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. My welcome mat gets pulled inside, and the front door sign says “nobody is home.” Not Daniel. He is at his post — windows open to the world.

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

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

Tomorrow is a new day. 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. I can quietly choose to make every day a good day in my neighborhood.