Cling to the Cross

Daniel and his friends were teenagers when they were taken from their homes and pressured to conform to Babylon’s ways. Their names were changed. Their culture was stripped away. Yet they stood firm in their faith without resorting to anger or compromise. They made up their minds to honor God above all else.

“But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.” – Daniel 1:8

Conviction is not about condemning others; it’s about living faithfully before God. Condemnation pushes people down. Conviction calls us higher. The difference between the two is how we respond. Like Daniel, we can stand unshakable in our convictions while still showing love and respect to those around us.

Here’s the truth: peace is not the absence of chaos. Peace is the presence of the Lord. Jesus is our peace — the One we cling to in a world of confusion. When everything feels like it’s falling apart, the cross reminds us that victory has already been won
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So here’s the challenge: don’t trade conviction for convenience. Don’t get lost in culture wars or empty shouting matches. Instead, live boldly and love deeply by clinging to the cross. That’s how we stand strong in a shaking world.