I recently wrote about how Daniel was protected in the Lion’s Den because of his faith in God:
Daniel 6:23
So Daniel was taken up out of the den and no injury whatever was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
But there was something else mentioned about Daniel’s character that struck me in this story, and this observation came from a heathen. The heathen king mentioned Daniel’s character when he said:
Daniel 6:16
The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you.”
Daniel was known to be consistent in his character.
I have found that when all is well in life, and things are coasting along smoothly, I can be tempted to “slide” a little in taking quality time with God to worship Him, or to study the Bible, or to take time in confessing God’s Word over my life and my family. Things are good! Can’t I coast a bit? Can I have a day (or a week) off?
But what I’ve discovered is that if I actually do this and take too much time “off” from keeping myself built up, then when a “storm of life” comes along I find I am not as prepared as I have been when I have kept myself built up and strong in faith. My initial reaction to a trial, test, or storm won’t always be a “faith” response and I can even become angry that another problem has risen its ugly head.
But the exact opposite is true when I’ve remained consistent in prayer and in worship and in believing and speaking the Word over my life, in the good and easy times. When I have remained consistent when things are smooth and good I see a very different response come from me when a trial comes along. I have seen that there is no anger or offense that comes into my thinking at the new trial…
Matthew 13:20But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
…no questioning arises in me either, as to “Why me“, and there is no room for even doubt to arise, but rather great JOY springs up in me as I stomp my feet in worship and proclaim, “MY GOD IS FAITHFUL“. Faith is strong and my attitude remains filled with joy. It is truly a very clear and distinct difference!
So, may I remind you to remain consistent, even when things are going great in your life. Take the same amount of time in praise and prayer that you do when you are thrown to your knees when facing a trial. Pray with the same conviction and determination. And worship God and thank Him for being so faithful and consistent with you 
Building a faithful character in ourselves will keep our lives on a smoother and more joy-filled path and it is God’s will for our lives.
…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…
Galatians 5:22, NIV
5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance;
2 Peter 1:5, NIV
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart
Proverbs 3:3, NIV
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(c) 2012 LeeAnn Bell, Faith Speaks Inc.
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