Bible: The Book of Daniel

I enjoyed reading the book of Daniel very much. I can only begin to report how much reading this book has taught me about faith, sacrifice, humility, trust, control, and obedience. The book of Daniel has made a huge impact on me and inspired me to put my full trust in the Lord.

Being a Christian in 2006 is hard at times. There is so much temptation to do the wrong thing and rarely any influence to do good. I can apply the knowledge I learned from the book of Daniel to many aspects of my life. As a parent, especially a single parent, I can instill in my daughter values and importance of being obedient not only to me but to a power much greater. I can read these amazing stories to her and help her resolve the issues she has of being a young person today. I can teach her that Daniel, Shadrach, Mescach, and Abednego went through peer pressure just like her and they stayed true to God and He protected them and kept them safe. I can teach her the lessons of being materialistic, prideful, and controlling, by sharing with her the story of King Nebuchadnezzar. The lists of lessons in this book are countless that I can teach her.

I can apply the knowledge of this book to everything in my life since this is a book about faith and trust and in God. Reading this story has reinforced that I should never doubt God. This book has made me really see that God is in control of everything. The things He puts me through, whether good or bad, are just a small part of the overall picture. This has allowed me to have a sense of peace and joy in my life that I did not have before. By turning my will over to Him, He will protect me even through the worst of times and even if it is my time to go, I am at peace knowing where I am going. Daniel had so many trials in his life. From the time Daniel was a young man he was taken away from everything he knew. He was stripped of his identity and given a new name. He was told what to do and what to eat. He had to leave his family and his culture behind. I imagine myself going through something similar to this and I can not even fathom the way this would feel. Daniel, however, knew that the only thing that could not be taken from him was his faith in God.

I compare the trials I go through and have gone through in the past to Daniel's life and it does not compare. Yes, I go through hard times; finances are a mess, being a single parent, and everyday demands of life. I have lost both of my parents and it is scary and lonely at times, but nothing I have been through has come close to Daniel's struggles. Daniel is an inspiration that even through the times that seem unbearable, it is never right to turn away from God. Even through the worst of times I will always turn to the Creator and thank Him for just giving me life. Every time Daniel went through turmoil, God blessed him in the end and he was advanced in position and in his life. God kept taking him higher and higher. I believe God used Daniel and his undying faith to bring more people to believe and I have learned how important it is to display my faith and trust as well, so others will come to believe in God's love.

Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego have taught me that being one person can change the world. These four young men have probably inspired countless amounts of people and they lived almost 3000 years ago. I have great power over others without even knowing, just like Daniel and his friends.

I think about my life as being Daniel; living in a world