God's Steward of a Precious Gift

 

THE KING WHO LOST HIS MIND AND FOUND HIS HEART

(A Counseling Narrative based on Daniel 4)

King Nebuchadnezzar was once the most powerful man on earth. His kingdom of Babylon shone brighter than any empire before him — its walls stretched wide, its towers touched the heavens, and his rule was absolute. Every victory, every monument, every conquest was a reminder of his greatness.

But behind that royal pride was a heart slowly turning away from its Maker. The king began to believe that everything he had came from his own strength. He forgot that even kings reign only by the permission of Heaven.

One night, he dreamed a terrifying dream — a great tree that reached the sky, providing shelter to all creatures, was suddenly cut down by a heavenly messenger. Only the stump and roots were left, bound with iron and bronze. The prophet Daniel interpreted it: “O King, you are that tree. Because of your pride, you will be driven away from people and live like the beasts of the field — until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of men.”

A year later, standing on his royal balcony, Nebuchadnezzar looked over Babylon and said,

"Is not this the great Babylon that I have built by my mighty power and for my majesty?"

Before the words even left his lips, a voice from heaven declared judgment. His mind broke. He lost his reason.

The mighty king was driven out of the palace, living among the wild animals. His hair grew long like eagle’s feathers, and his nails like bird’s claws. He ate grass like cattle. For seven years, he wandered — a man stripped of his throne, his dignity, and his sanity.

But even in that season of madness, God’s grace was working. His illness was not a punishment meant to destroy him, but a process meant to restore him.

Finally, when the time was fulfilled, Nebuchadnezzar lifted his eyes toward heaven.

And at that very moment, his understanding returned.

He declared with humility:

"I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything He does is right and all His ways are just. Those who walk in pride, He is able to humble."

His kingdom was restored. His sanity was renewed. But more than that, his heart was healed — healed from the sickness of pride, healed from the blindness of self-sufficiency, healed by the mercy of God.

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Counselor’s Reflection:

Sometimes, like Nebuchadnezzar, we must lose control to understand who truly holds it.

Mental breakdowns, emotional collapse, or deep crises can become moments where God rebuilds us from the inside out. Healing begins when we look up — when we acknowledge that our strength, peace, and sanity are gifts from the One who rules above all.

In every moment of confusion or pride, God still waits patiently, ready to restore the mind that humbles itself before Him.

The Abundant Love and Grace Of God Be With Your Life's Journey!

Chris N. Braza, SCM

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BRAZAAR CHAIN

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ANG HARI NA NAWALAN NG ISIP AT MULING NAKATAGPO ANG DIYOS

(Isang Pagninilay at Kuwento ng Paggaling batay sa Daniel 4)

Si Haring Nabucodonosor ay isa sa pinakamasigasig at pinakamakapangyarihang hari sa kasaysayan. Sa ilalim ng kanyang pamumuno, ang kaharian ng Babilonya ay naging pinakatanyag sa buong mundo — matatayog ang mga pader, marangya ang mga palasyo, at walang kapantay ang kanyang kapangyarihan.

Ngunit sa kabila ng tagumpay, unti-unting pumasok sa kanyang puso ang pagmamataas. Nalimutan niya na ang lahat ng kanyang tinatamasa ay galing sa Diyos. Akala niya ay kaya niyang lahat sa pamamagitan ng kanyang sariling lakas.

Isang gabi, nanaginip siya ng isang napakalaking puno na umaabot sa langit. Nagbibigay ito ng lilim at pagkain sa lahat ng nilalang — ngunit biglang may tinig mula sa langit na nag-utos na putulin ito, at iwan lamang ang tuod na may gapos na bakal at tanso.

Ipinahayag ni propetang Daniel ang kahulugan:

"O Hari, ikaw ang punong iyon. Dahil sa iyong kayabangan, palalayasin ka sa mga tao at mamumuhay ka gaya ng mga hayop sa parang, hanggang sa makilala mong ang Kataas-taasan ang siyang naglalagay at nag-aalis ng mga hari."

Lumipas ang isang taon, at habang siya ay nakatayo sa kanyang palasyo, nagmalaki siya at nagsabi:

"Hindi ba ito ang dakilang Babilonya na itinayo ko sa pamamagitan ng aking lakas at para sa aking kaluwalhatian?"

Ngunit bago pa man matapos ang kanyang salita, isang tinig mula sa langit ang narinig:

"Inalis na ang iyong kaharian!"

At noon din, nawala ang kanyang katinuan.

Pinalayas siya sa palasyo at tumira sa parang kasama ng mga hayop. Kumakain siya ng damo na parang baka, humaba ang kanyang buhok na parang balahibo ng agila, at ang kanyang mga kuko ay naging parang pang-ipit ng ibon.

Sa loob ng pitong taon, naglakad siyang walang direksyon — walang korona, walang dangal, at walang isipan. Ngunit sa kabila ng lahat, ang biyaya ng Diyos ay hindi nawala. Ang kanyang pagkabaliw ay hindi kaparusahan upang wasakin siya, kundi proseso upang baguhin at pagalingin siya.

Isang araw, itinungo niya ang kanyang paningin sa langit.

At sa sandaling iyon, bumalik ang kanyang katinuan.

Buong pagpapakumbabang sinabi niya:

“Ako, si Nabucodonosor, ay nagpupuri, nagpaparangal, at nagbubunyi sa Hari ng kalangitan, sapagkat ang lahat ng Kanyang ginagawa ay matuwid at makatarungan; at ang mga lumalakad sa kapalaluan ay Kanyang ibinababa.”

Muling ibinalik sa kanya ang kanyang trono. Ngunit higit sa lahat, ang kanyang puso ay gumaling.

Gumaling siya mula sa sakit ng pagmamataas, mula sa pagkabulag ng kayabangan, at mula sa pagkalimot sa Diyos.

Ang kanyang paggaling ay hindi lamang sa isip — kundi sa kaluluwa.

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Pagninilay ng Isang Tagapayo (Counselor’s Reflection):

Tulad ni Haring Nabucodonosor, minsan kailangan nating mawalan ng kontrol upang maunawaan kung sino talaga ang may hawak nito.

Ang mga panahon ng pagkalito, pagkalugmok, o pagkasira ng loob ay hindi palaging wakas — madalas, ito ang daan kung saan binubuo muli tayo ng Diyos.

Ang tunay na kagalingan ay nagsisimula kapag tayo ay tumingin paitaas, at kinilala nating ang lakas, kapayapaan, at katinuan ay biyayang nagmumula sa Kanya.

Sa bawat sandali ng kahinaan o kayabangan, ang Diyos ay nananatiling tapat — handa tayong pagalingin kapag tayo’y handang magpakumbaba.

Ang Masaganang Pag-ibig at Biyaya ng Diyos ay Sumaiyo sa Paglalakbay ng Buhay!

Chris N. Braza, SCM