Introduction: Pressure, problems and pain doesn't develop your character, as much as it exposes it... The story of your ability is told as you struggle. Sometimes you're in a struggle and aren't even aware.
Transition: When you know the principles, you don't have to be afraid of the problem...
Exposition: Here's three action steps to help you 'Be Cool'...
1) Prayer has to be a priority...verse 10 But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.
-1 Thessalonians 5:17 Never stop praying.
-If you only pray when you're in trouble, you're in trouble!
-Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
2) Live like you're leaving...verse 16 So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to him, “May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you.”
-"Life isn't about your duration, but your donation." ~Jim Cowart (Reference verses 1-3)
-Daniel understood that life was designed to glorify God by how he lived. Even the king knew that he was serious about his relationship with God.
-King Darius does not know God, but he knows Daniel and seeds have been planted in him and he didn't know it.
3) Keep your faith grounded...verse 23 The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God.
-Don't allow the current direction of your life to separate you from God (Reference Romans 8:38-39).
-Don't allow the lions of life, to scare you off course and make you feel trapped (Reference 1st Peter 5:8).
-Don't act like you've made it on your own (Reference 1st Corinthians 15:10).
Conclusion: We've explored how you should 'Be Cool' but let's culminate this study with why you should 'Be Cool'. Psalm 37:1-3 says "Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong.
2 For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither. 3 Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper." Daniel's enemies were cut off in verse 24 of Daniel chapter 6 and Daniel prospered in verse 28!
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