Esther 4:9 – 11 “Hathach went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said. Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, ‘All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that he be put to death. The only exception to this is for the king to extend the gold scepter to him and spare his life. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.'”
Have you seen the movie, “The Princess Diaries”? It is one of my daughter’s favorites. And shhh! Don’t tell anyone, but it’s one of my favorites, too! I’d like to quote Princess Mia’s father, who wrote her a letter which provided her with the courage to step up to her destiny. He said, “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather, the determination that something else is more important than the fear.”
Upon hearing the bad news, Esther first had to deal with her fear. She wouldn’t have been a normal, flesh-and-blood person if she hadn’t felt afraid! No one was allowed to just barge right into the king’s presence – not even the queen. On top of that, her husband hadn’t called for her in thirty days. She didn’t know if he was mad at her, or bored with her, or just plain busy. She knew of her husband’s hot temper. To go to him, she would have to risk her life.
Sometimes, we feel afraid. We are afraid to apply for a new job for fear we will be turned down. We are afraid to invite that person to church for fear they will reject us. We are afraid to do what God is leading us to do, or go where God is leading us to go, because bad things may happen to us. And those fears are legitimate.
Fear, when used correctly, is actually a good thing. It causes us to examine our situations, and to act cautiously when necessary. I don’t dodge into a busy highway because I am afraid of being hit by a car. However, if my child were in that highway, I would not hesitate. My child’s safety would be more important than my fear.
When we feel afraid, we should take those fears to God. Sometimes, the fear may be His way of telling us to be cautious. Other times, He may lead us to understand that while our fears are legitimate, there is something else more important than the fear. And He will go before us, beside us, and behind us, just as He did with Esther. He will hold our hands, and when we need Him to, He will carry us. He will never leave us. We don’t have to stand bravely alone. He will be right there.
Dear Father, Please give me wisdom to know when to act with caution, and when to act in spite of my fears.
Amen
I often struggle with fear. Thank you for sharing your insight and words of wisdom on this topic. It’s especially timely in light of my new teaching gig.
Alyssa, I have no doubt you will be voted “Favorite Teacher” before the semester is over! You will be great!
Dear Renae,
That is a tough one.
I tend to loose belief in my own instincts in times of fear.
I so often should have trusted myself or the Lord instead of acting heads over heals.
I have read the Bible a couple of times, my Dad mad 37.
I kind of know we are dealing with a happy-end story.
Nevertheless, I have forgotten the details, and must kind of strain myself not to take the book lying right here beside me and read.
I have decided not to do so. The way you are telling it, with all your side comments and philosophizing, it’s much better.
Then, when you have reached the end, I will read it throough.
It’s almost like reading a crime novel, but so much better for mind and soul.
From Felisol
Oh, how exciting, Felisol! I will be careful from now on not to give away the ending. But trust me, there are many twists and turns! Get ready for some excitement! 🙂
You said what I was going to say. Being brave doesn’t mean you’re not scared. It means you’re scared and you do it anyway.
I don’t think I’m very brave. If I’m scared I try to find someone else to do it!!
I know exactly what you mean, Jackie. It’s easy for me to write about Esther’s life. My own life is a different story! 😉 But sometimes, like Peter walking on the water, we just have to make that leap of faith, knowing that our God is bigger than whatever we are afraid of.
Easier said than done.