Don’t blow your cool!
Daniel 2:1”…..Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; and his spirit was so troubled that his sleep left him.”
Whatever you do, don't blow your cool! It’s definitely not going to be easy to stay cool and calm in the midst of the cacophony that surrounds us! Are you listening? Chris Gayle, Jamaican cricketer, is described as the coolest guy on the planet, who recently blasted 17 sixes and 13 fours in the recent Indian Premier League match, finished on 175 not out, the highest ever Twenty20 innings. A man’s grit and mettle is determined not in prosperity but in adversity! Are you listening? How you react when the boat capsizes is paramount!
Let me tell you of an incident from the book of Daniel; king Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that woke him up from his sleep and also troubled his spirit. The words ‘his spirit was troubled’ made me pause and think and meditate on the rest of the chapter. How a great monarch like him can get agitated over a dream, lose his cool, turn to the wrong counselors and eventually become murderous in thoughts is incredible!
As I read this chapter, we have an excellent connection with the present scenario that we see around in the world. Let me explain. Watch king Nebuchadnezzar turn confidently to the magicians, the astrologers, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans and he confides with them: “I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream.” Don’t we too today trust more in good medicines, eminent doctors and outstanding hospitals than the Healer who can heal you? Tell me. We run to google search engine to dig out information about the disease, find the best treatment and fill the head with information. All this at times leave you drained, scared and confused! I tell you, it is fine to be called as the ‘cool guy’ when things are hunky-dory, but people go wobbly when calamity strikes them. Computers, Bank savings, accolades and trophies cannot comfort you during times of crisis – you need GOD!
When the magicians and astrologers were unable to tell the dream of the king, his fear and angst turns him into a beast and he threatens: “…if you do not make known the dream to me, and its interpretation, you shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made an ash heap.” (Daniel 2:5) When you lose your cool, you don't think straight and coherently, consequently do and say things that can hurt you and others! Warning! How could king Nebuchadnezzar miss out Daniel, whom he had found ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm! Fear blinds your eyes and vision and blurs your thought stream!
Dear friend, I am speaking to someone out there who is struggling with fear and anxiety over your loved ones future, or may be regarding your future; whatever, fear chokes faith in God. Do not allow the enemy to haunt you and torment you, spend more time meditating the scriptures and drive away the fear. The Bible says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 tim 1:7)
Though Daniel was ignored in the meeting that was called for by the king regarding the dream, yet he has not been exempted from the punishment; nevertheless, he calmly approached Arioch the king's captain, requested for time and immediately along with Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, they bow down in prayer to seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret. God revealed the secret to Daniel! Glory to Jesus!
Cares drop away when you put your trust in God and in His might!
