Peter 4:12-14 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test you [that is, to test the quality of your faith], as though something strange or unusual were happening to you. But insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, keep on rejoicing, so that when His glory [filled with His radiance and splendor] is revealed, you may rejoice with great joy…

One of the most practical ways we can keep ourselves encouraged in our Christian walk is to fully understand that what we read in Scripture is not a fairy tale. The men and women we read about were, for the most part, ordinary people—just like you and me. They sinned, they failed God, and they experienced restoration and redemption. They were not exempt from the breadth of human emotion or the full range of the human experience. Yet, for centuries and generations, here we are, referencing and talking about their lives. It’s a testament to what God can do with one or a few who are willing.

Finding Boldness in Trials: Lessons from Daniel. One of my favorites among these people is Daniel. I’ll admit, I’m biased because he was defiant—and in some ways, I can be defiant, too. He refused to bow to the gods of his time, and even in the face of adversity, he stood firm in the faith that had sustained him in seasons past. Defiance—that is my prayer for you and me: that come what may, our lives would speak of an unrelenting and Supernatural Grace to keep believing God. It’s a tough prayer when you realize that it might be followed by temptation and tests, but again, if we aren’t exempt from facing these challenges (as we see in 1 Peter 4:12), we might as well face them with the boldness of Daniel.

There was no time when Daniel’s boldness was more evident than when he and his friends faced execution—first his friends by fire, then Daniel by lions—for refusing to follow the king’s edict. His friends responded, ‘I know my God can, but even if He doesn’t…’ (Daniel 3:17-18). I can imagine the internal dialogue in that moment: “God, how can You let this happen? I’ve been faithful! You told me You loved me! I spoke up on Your behalf. Yet, You still let this happen? Am I being punished? What did I do wrong? Please don’t fail me now!”

You and I have been there—saying one thing with our mouths, but thinking something completely different in our hearts.

This week, take some time to read how the story ends for Daniel. For now, the greater point is in his posture—facing the possibility of disappointment but holding on with an unrelenting heart. I believe it takes Supernatural Grace to get to that place. For Daniel, this bold statement was preceded by days of prayer and fasting. Perhaps it’s time for you and me to embrace the same process to face our challenges. What if instead of wading through this season depleted because we’re trying to do things our way, we turned it over to God to fuel us in secret, positioning us for what could be our greatest victory yet?

If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Daniel 3:17-18