Long ago, there were these men who stood up for what they believed in. Their society was held captive by a corrupt empire, but they never gave in to fit in with the societal pagan-norm. Their names were Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, but you may know them as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (their Babylonian names). For those of you who don’t know the story, it’s worth the read (Daniel chapters 1-3 in The Bible).

While their story happened millennia ago, it’s important to understand that there are certain themes that we can apply to our life today that can drastically change who we are and how we move in the world. Here’s a couple takeaways that I wanted to give you this week.

The world will always seek to change our identity. Before their people were captured, these men were named from birth in ways that honored God. From the moment that they began breathing, their names were testimonies of God’s goodness. Hananiah (lit. “God is gracious”), Mishael (lit. “Who is like God?”), and Azariah (lit. “God has helped me”). When the corrupt culture had taken over, they were given new names that were associated with Babylonian idols. Shadrach (named after the pagan moon god), Meshach (lit. “who is like Aku?”, another pagan god) and Abednego (servant of the pagan god of fire). In today’s world, we are often given names that go against our true identity/loyalty. We may be given a diagnosis that merges into who we are (“My ADHD” vs. someone healing their nervous system) or (“My Hashimoto’s” vs. someone healing their thyroid). Or we get labeled with an identity that degenerates instead of edifies. Too often, we readily accept these new terms and make them who we are. We are told in no uncertain terms that “this is you and there’s no changing that.” I urge you to remember who you are. Remember how you were created. That from the moment you were born, you have been a living testimony of God’s graciousness, and that because of that, anything is possible.   

The world will be harsh when you move against the grain. People will judge you when you move differently. When you decide to heal in a different way than the cultural norm, people will likely look at you differently. When you decide to live a life set apart from the world, you will experience judgment. Living a different life can be abrasive to those who choose to live like the rest of society. When you talk about the discipline of a life well-lived, a lot of people might call you crazy for exercising regularly, eating food that doesn’t kill you, refusing to spiral into doom-scrolling social media, and getting regularly adjusted. And that is really only the physical discipline of a healthy life! Imagine if you add in what it takes to be spiritually well and mentally well. People will judge you, guaranteed. Accept the challenge of breaking the status quo, because you were made for more.

It’s the fire that exemplifies God’s presence in your life. In the story, it was the fire that confirmed to the world that God was among them and testified of their original names. Hananiah — God was gracious in the fire. Mishael — There was no one like God in the fire. Azariah — God had helped them in the fire. When the world throws you battles, God will use them for your good and His glory. But, He will also do it to remind you of your original identity.    

Here’s some final thoughts: When the world seeks to change your identity, God remembers who He called you to be. When the world seeks to judge you, God remembers what He called you to do. You never move in this world alone, and your identity is immovable to the world. Remember where you come from and heal yourself while being rooted in your original identity. It’s how you were designed.

Blessings,

Dr. Nate