True Identity

In Esther chapter 1, King Ahasuerus literally attempts to put his wife on display during a feast. He was showing off his wealth and power, and apparently decided that his beautiful queen, like a trophy or prize to be flaunted, should also be brought forth. When she refused, he became furious, probably angry that someone, especially a woman, had dared to disobey him. It seems that in his eyes, she was merely another one of his possessions. Once she refused to do as he pleased, she was of no further use to him. As an example to his kingdom, he divorced her so that all women would hear of Vashti's punishment and remain under the rule of their husbands.

Today, we can still see instances in which men place mere aesthetic, shallow value on women. Sometimes it seems that men see women as just objects to be looked at. They are only bodies and faces, not given true, meaningful worth. How often do we see posters, commercials, and billboards that exploit a woman's sexuality or beauty in order to sell a product? How often do we hear of women struggling to be physically attractive in order to gain attention? Our society has become obsessed with outward appearances, but what about the true identity of a person?

Vashti had more respect for herself than to allow herself to be put on display. Chances are high that she didn't know the God of the universe or look to Him to give her true value, but she was able to grasp the fact that she was more than just "a pretty face." Christian women today should also see our worth as humans and daughters of God. We don't need to be "on display", and we shouldn't let ourselves become mere "objects." How we dress and how we behave can help, even if we cannot control the way others around us may see us.

We are not objects; we are women! God has shown us our worth. And godly men and women will be able to see our value too--the deep, true worth that goes far deeper than the shallow concerns of beauty and attractiveness. No matter what we look like, whether we struggle with the feeling of being "unpretty" or the sense that we are defined only by our beauty, our hearts and souls are precious to God. Our true identity is who we are. Most importantly, our true identity is who we are in Christ.

Why We Should Never Be Afraid

Fear.

We all are scared of certain things. We have our phobias, our biggest fears, and our old struggles and hurts from the past that rise to the surface and make us afraid. Fear can paralyze us, prevent us from doing what we know we should do, and steal away our joy. It crushes peace, mocks faith, and stains the Christian's testimony. How many things have we done out of fear? How many things have we not done because of fear?

I've realized that fear is one of our enemy's greatest weapons. Why else would God say time and again throughout the Bible: "Do not fear" or "Be courageous"? He knows what fear can do to us. And He knows how easily our human hearts tend toward fear. Courage comes from our faith in God; fear stems from doubt.

The reasons why we shouldn't be afraid are numerous. Maybe if we just stopped and thought about our fears logically for a moment, they would dissipate. Maybe if whenever we felt that wave of terror or doubt wash over us, we paused and looked to God instead of the blockades in our path or ourselves, we would be able to press on in confidence.

First, we know God is in control. He is the Creator and Master; He knows everything about us and works His will on Earth. Even when humans use their free will to cause suffering and destroy each other, God can still use bad for good and work His will through it all. He is the Great Healer and Physician, able to ease the wounds we are dealt in life. As long as He is in control, "...we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28). We have nothing to fear because God is working for our best, just as a father or mother does all that he or she can for the benefit of a child.

Secondly, God has already won the victory. We know Jesus has conquered death, already became our sacrifice for sin, and therefore has made a pathway for us to freedom. All we have to do is accept it. In the end, no matter what battles we go through, as long as we are His, we win with Him. Nothing can change this. Nothing physical, nothing spiritual. God is in control; God is all-powerful. He can't not win. There's no point in fearing when the struggle is already won. It's just a matter of getting through it.

Thirdly, God loves us. This really is obvious and goes along with the other two reasons, but we tend to forget this.

Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed.

Because His compassions fail not.

They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness.

"The LORD is my portion," says my soul,

"Therefore I hope in Him!"

Lamentations 3:22-24

God forgives us when we make mistakes and helps us get back on our feet and keep walking. He is not up there plotting ways to make His children miserable. He wants to shower blessings on us, to let us forget our past sins and failures as He forgets them, and to guide us on to be better, greater. To succeed! He is not our enemy, and we shouldn't let fear boggle us down. There is a difference between healthy fear of His power and authority, and a guilty terror that forgets His love and grace. He loves us and He is in this struggle with us. "For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.'" (Isaiah 41:13) He will walk every step of the way with us, right beside us, helping us face and conquer our fears and weaknesses and hurts.

Fourthly, we do not need to be plagued by doubt over anything. "The Heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork." (Psalm 19:1) If nature itself witnesses the Presence and power and glory of God, why should we ever doubt or fear? Just pausing to look up at the stars, feel the sun's warmth, smell the fresh air outside, or study one of God's creatures reminds us of the care He put into creating everything around us. Nature declares that there is a God: a powerful, loving one! The Bible declares it. Our own hearts declare it if we just stop and listen to the Holy Spirit. We need not feel that we are alone, or that God will leave us in the middle of trouble. As Jesus said, if God knows when just one sparrow falls to the ground, then how much more aware is He of His children when they hurt?

And finally, we have a great future. We may have to face fear and doubt and pain and confusion in this life, but we have something to hope for. We have something that can fill us with joy when we look to the future. Not only is there nothing to fear in life, but also there is nothing to fear in death when we are His. God will be beside us then as He has always been beside us in our lives. He covers all. The future is nothing to be intimidated by, because His plans are already laid out for us, great and small. All we have to do is trust Him.

Think of how much more powerful we could be, how much happier and how much more fruitful for God, if we just trusted Him. If we gave Him our fears when we felt them take over, and let Him fill us with His peace and courage and hope and joy. If we stopped focusing on ourselves and what we can't do, or the obstacles and what they could do, and instead focused on God and what He has done, is doing, and will do.

He's standing right next to us. He's even holding our hands, like a loving father holds his child's hand, cradling it gently as they step into the darkness the child is so afraid of. "It's going to be OK," he says. "Don't be afraid. I'm here."

The child thinks, Daddy's not afraid of anything. He will fight off all the monsters. I'm safe!

And we are!