The Esther Effect: Awakening Inner Strength

Written By: Dr. Alice Prince

Every day of the week, I engage in a heartfelt conversation with myself, making sure my voice is the loudest in my head, second only to the comforting voice of God. In this personal dialogue, I aim to uplift and motivate myself, constantly refining my self-affirmation. My goal is not to boost my ego but to nurture an affirmation rooted in faith and humility. It's crucial to remind myself of God's promises regularly and to see myself the way God sees me, even when I make a mistake. Please make sure you are doing the same.

Queen Esther Is Interesting …

As I journey through each week, my heart longs to embrace, internalize, and soak in the warmth of God's presence. I intentionally look for conversations and connections that awaken my soul. I attended a belated birthday gathering on Friday night for a good friend named Gisele. We all went around the room and told Gisele how much she meant to us and the impact of her life. My friend Joe Reagan shared an enlightening perspective, drawing a beautiful parallel between our dear friend Gisele and the inspiring character of Queen Esther. This connection took me back to a touching encounter with an 8th grader at Marian Middle School, who unexpectedly called me a "Catholic Preacher" during their Esther Awards ceremony. That's a story worth sharing another time, but for now, let's explore the remarkable life of Queen Esther and the meaningful lessons we can draw from her story.

Queen Esther's tale is a timeless narrative of faith, courage, and divine guidance. Her story, found in the Book of Esther, offers us valuable insights into navigating life's challenges with unwavering trust in God.

Esther, a young Jewish woman, found herself in an unexpected and challenging position when she became the queen of Persia at a time when her people faced grave danger. The wicked Haman, an advisor to the king, plotted to harm the Jewish community. Esther was confronted with a significant dilemma: whether to conceal her identity or risk her life by revealing her Jewish heritage to King Xerxes.

Esther's courage and faith prompted her to take a courageous step. She approached the king, despite the risk, and exposed Haman's wicked scheme. Through a series of events, the plan to harm the Jews was thwarted, and Esther's people were saved.

How do I make Esther’s Life Make Sense for Me????

Let's explore the qualities we can apply to our lives from Esther's remarkable journey:

Courage: Esther's brave approach to the king teaches us the importance of facing adversity with courage. It encourages us to stand up for what is right, even when the path is uncertain. Sometimes, we may not even see the path ahead but we still need to have a holy courageousness.

Faith: Esther's unwavering faith in God's providence sustained her throughout her ordeal. Her story reminds us of the strength that faith can provide in times of crisis and uncertainty. We can draw on this faith in our own lives to weather storms with hope and trust in God's plan. Even when we can’t see God’s hand, we need to trust HIS heart.

Humility: Esther did not seek her position as queen but accepted it with humility. Her example underscores the importance of embracing our roles and responsibilities with grace and humility. We can apply this by approaching our own responsibilities with a servant's heart, putting the needs of others before our own.

Prayer: Esther's initial response to the crisis was to call for prayer and fasting. This highlights the significance of seeking God's guidance and intervention through prayer and fasting. In our own lives, we can turn to prayer as a source of strength and guidance in difficult times.

Advocacy: Esther used her position of influence to advocate for her people. This reminds us of the importance of using our influence and resources to help those in need. We can apply this by using our talents, resources, and positions to make a positive impact on the lives of others. My biggest pet peeve is when people say, “I want to be a voice for the voiceless.” We all have a voice. We need to help the marginalized amplify their voice not become it.

As we reflect on Queen Esther's extraordinary journey, let her story inspire us to embrace these qualities in our own lives. Let's face life's challenges with courage, maintain unwavering faith, approach our roles with humility, seek God's guidance through prayer, and advocate for those who need our support. By doing so, we can become vessels of God's grace, just as Esther was in her time and my friend Gisele is now.

Prayer of the Week

Dear Heavenly Father,

As I journey through this week, I come before you with a heart full of gratitude for the blessings you have bestowed upon me. Thank you for the gift of life and the opportunities that each day brings. Help me to embrace your presence, to listen to your loving voice above all others, and to find strength in the assurance of your promises.

Just as Queen Esther displayed courage, faith, and humility in the face of adversity, I pray for the same qualities to blossom within me. Grant me the courage to face challenges with unwavering trust in your guidance. Strengthen my faith so that I may stand firm in times of uncertainty, knowing that you hold the ultimate plan for my life.

Teach me humility, Lord, that I may embrace my roles and responsibilities with grace, always seeking to serve others as you have served us. May I turn to you in prayer and fasting, seeking your wisdom and guidance in every decision I make.

Lord, help me to be an advocate for those in need, using the influence and resources you've granted me to make a positive impact on their lives. Make me a vessel of your grace, just as Esther was in her time.

Thank you for your unending love and mercy. May this week be a journey of growth, deepening my faith, and drawing me closer to you. In Jesus' name, I pray.

Amen.

Reflection Questions

1. How can I display courage in the face of challenges and uncertainties in my life this week? What steps can I take to trust in God's guidance more fully?
2. In what areas of my life do I need to strengthen my faith? How can I remind myself to trust in God's plan, even when circumstances seem daunting?
3. How can I practice humility in my daily interactions and responsibilities? What changes can I make to approach my roles with a servant's heart?
4. Am I setting aside time for prayer and reflection this week? How can I deepen my connection with God through prayer and seek His wisdom in my decisions?
5. In what ways can I use my influence, resources, or talents to advocate for those in need or make a positive impact on someone's life? How can I become a vessel of God's grace to those around me?