Freeze like Esther

Rizen Swain

Sometimes in life relationships and other attachments have to come to an end. It can be frustrating to sit with the change or what God is actually calling us to. Our emotions do not matter to the plans that he has for us. We cannot always lean on what we believe but instead what he says. When we feel our emotions that contribute to what God is trying to do in our life, we have to remember there is a right way to fight. During the light of BLM I know that relationships have been impacted across this nation and the world. It may seem like nowadays we are more different then alike, but we are all God’s children.

Esther 3:8
Then Haman said to King Xerxes, “There is a certain people dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom who keep themselves separate. Their customs are different from those of all other people, and they do not obey the king’s laws; it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them.”

Haman was upset with the Jews because one did not bow down to him. His relationship with the King made him believe that he had authority! The Jew not bowing down to him made him feel threatened. When we are trying to survive, we can get caught up in the negative emotions such as anger, betrayed, hurt, lost and confused that is changing our reality. In fact, we can even feel it in our bodies. Desperation can be found when no one has hope. Therefore, being aware of how we survive can save us a lot of mistakes. Our emotions and thoughts impact how we treat others and how we behave. Esther used those emotions that her fellow Jews felt to make change but by FREEZING. In survival there is a fight, flight, freeze response in the body that reacts or responds to present danger. I say that Esther froze because she stood still.

Esther 4:16
Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

We have life through Christ and promises through him that gives us hope. When Ester stood still, it allowed her people to be blessed but they all had to be on one accord. In a world full of police brutality we as people of color can benefit from being still and letting God be God so that our royalty shows in the timing he planned and intended. We can do better by listening to one another and taking account of how far we have come as people. Taking risk brings about success but sometimes that risk may have to be standing still and giving God full control. Although it may seem like Esther fought for her people, I truly believe it was God.

Esther 4:14
“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

Luke 10:38-42
“Now as they were traveling along, Jesus went into a village. A woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat down at the Lord’s feet and kept listening to what he was saying. But Martha was worrying about all the things she had to do, so she came to him and asked, “Lord, you do care that my sister has left me to do the work all by myself, don’t you? Then tell her to help me.” The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha! You worry and fuss about a lot of things. But there’s only one thing you need. Mary has chosen what is better, and it is not to be taken away from her.”