How did Daniel handle being in the lions den? How do we handle life when we feel like we are in the pit, consumed , being swallowed up not knowing where to begin to get out. Knowing God is there yet the feeling is of the nashing of teeth right here right now?
You already surely know what the Scipture says: “So Daniel was taken up out of the [lions’] den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he had trusted in his G’d.” (6:24). Knowing that G’d – the Maker of all things, our Mother, our Father, our Master – is with us, and that He Himself knows what is happening with us, truly helps us get through the terrible times which often come to human beings in this, His yet-unredeemed world. It’s a great consolation to recognize G’d’s omniscience and His love, especially when it’s coupled to the power of prayer. But remember, Daniel was alone in the pit and all he could do there was pray. Normally, one has many more options than that. Almost certainly, G’d has put people around you who – even if you haven’t met them yet, even if you have to go to a phone book to know whom to call – can help you face your troubles. As G’d sent His “messenger,” an “angel,” to help Daniel, all of us who don’t dwell in literal solitary confinement or alone on a desert island, have people we can reach out to. (One normally does have to reach out to others, rather than expect them to inuit one’s deepest feelings and realize thereby that they need to rush to our aid.) Just as we, human beings, are G’d’s stewards on earth, responsible for this planet only to Him and each other, He often uses ordinary human beings as His messengers, His angels, to serve each other and Him as His stewards and helpers with other human beings. When we most desperately need help from Him, we generally need to also reach out to them, our fellow mortals, His de facto angels.
A human angel is, in many ways, a higher sort of being than a spiritual, directly Heaven-sent angel: the latter has no free will and can handle only a single task; G’d’s human angels are made in G’d’s very “image,” having free will, and capable of taking on any number of responsibilities.
So, let me suggest, if you are gnashing your teeth in pain and sorrow: call to Him, pray, try to understand all you can respectfully and philosophically, to put all your troubles and all your pain into context, but also try to find yourself some angels to talk to – loved ones, friends, followers, professional people, or even a telephone help line. Take His help where you can get it, where He offers it!
Michael Dallen
Author of The Rainbow Covenant