I just started an Esther Bible study at our church and today it got me thinking about anxiety. If you know the story, the evil Hamen, the kings right hand man, has everything. The kings favor, his ear, wealth, sons, privilege. Yet the sight of the Jew Mordacai who won't bow down to him sends him spinning into misery and rage.
To contrast his actions are those of Queen Esther. She is separated from her people, alone, and if you read her account in the Apocrypha she does not like her current circumstances. And now due to Hamen her life and the life of her people are in danger. But yet she is calm. At peace. Clear headed enough to think rationally.
Why is it that some people can be in the worst of circumstances and still be at peace. Identity. Hamen's identity is in what he does, what he achieves, whose favor he has. Esther's is in who she is. A child of God. Its like having a birds eye view of the city you are in. You may get lost on a street corner or turned around, but because you have the whole picture in mind you can find your way to a familiar place. If you are focused just on the unfamiliarity of that particular street corner you are swept up in a whirl wind of anxiety.
So here is to reminding myself of the big picture. To not getting fixated on the particular moment I am in. But rather remember who I am and the promises that brings. the big picture. To not getting fixated on the particular moment I am in. But rather remember who I am and the promises that brings.
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