The Bible on My Nightstand
Fernando Dangond, MD, was born in Colombia, South America. He and his wife, Monica, live in Weston, MA, and have been blessed with two sons Daniel and David and a beautiful daughter, Christina (the inspiration behind Build the Faith) who left to be with the Lord 7 years ago.
Dr. Dangond, is a neurologist and scientist who works for a pharmaceutical company developing medicines to treat devastating neurological diseases.
Imagine having the wisest person in the world as your closest friend – somebody with so much knowledge and experience that it would be foolish not to ask this person for advice. Somebody shaped by experience and light, always above and beyond all anxieties, regrets, guilt and failures. Somebody whose tips, when implemented, automatically raise you up on clouds of positivity and success. Somebody who has the key to living life without any fear. Somebody who fully understands the power of love and forgiveness, and signals the road of faith and hope that takes you to happiness. Even better, this wise person knows the secret of living forever. Wouldn’t you want to ask this friend for advice?
I’d like the whole world to get to know my friend: my Bible. It sits comfortably on my nightstand and waits patiently for our nightly rendezvous. During the day, I eagerly count the hours to get back to it, even though I don’t plan the themes around our dialogue. Honestly, it’s usually the Bible doing all the talking; I am simply a good listener. I savor its words, one by one, as its wisdom engulfs me and crystallizes in my brain and soul, the certitude of having “hit the jackpot” just by having this amazing privilege.
I honestly think that the thousands of self-help books that fill the bookstore shelves are nothing but vain imitations of the Bible. It is the Bible that stands out, and will always stand out from the “crowd” known as world literature, as it represents the ultimate synthesis of humankind’s reason for existence and the fountain of wisdom for its salvation.
If I told you, I have the key to be successful in life, to maximize your potential for surrounding yourself with love and friends, to aspire to be prosperous and keep a healthy mental attitude even in the face of the worst adversities, wouldn’t you be curious to find out more?
In the word of God, our souls find solace and mentoring, the tools to build a better future with our loved ones, and the key to creating a paradise on earth. In this book that sits on my nightstand, all those secrets lie waiting for me every night, and I find myself at the end, after an unforgettable session with my friend, gradually falling asleep, serenaded under the sweet song of a psalm, smiling under the powerful humility distilled from every parable.
When I wake up the next day, I feel like a warrior ready to confront my battles, using the armor of knowledge and the sword of light that my friend the Bible gifted me the night before. It is the serenity and peace of the Holy Spirit that fills me with an unbreakable faith in my savior, Jesus Christ.
