It's Tough Being a Woman {Esther Recap}

I recently finished a nine-week Bible study - which actually took us five months to complete - on the book of Esther. (You can read the story about how I got involved in this study here.) 

In an effort to document all I have learned, for my own benefit as well as yours, I write this post. I have also asked Tiffany and Julie, my friends, Bible study companions and bloggers at Girls of God's Heart, to help me recap all that we learned. 
The main theme of the study was, "it's tough being a woman..." Through the study, we explored seven different "tough" scenarios. By the end of the study, Beth had provided us with at least one scripture reference that would turn each scenario around. Because it is in the tough times when we need God the most. It's when we should turn to his words and find the answers on how to make the difficult easier.

Scenario #1 - It's Tough Being a Woman in Another Woman's Shadow. Turnaround Verse:  Psalm 91:1 -- He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
In the book of Esther, Esther steps into the shadow of Queen Vashti to become King Xeres new queen. Intimating much? I would think so. An average girl, a Jew at that, steps out side of her world into a world of royalty to become better than the once Queen Vashti.
We live in a world where women are almost always shadowed by another woman. Your best friend that is drop dead gorgeous, your sister who always gets it right the first time, your mother in law that is already perfect in your husbands eyes...And where do you fit in? You stand there in their shadow. When you feel overwhelmed by that thought remember you are a daughter of the Most High King, you have peace knowing you rest in His shadow. Praise God! 
Scenario #2 - It's Tough Being a Woman in a World Where Beauty is a Treatment Turnaround Verse:  Ecclesiastes 3:11 -- He has made everything beautiful in His time. 
Esther enters this world of royalty of fabulous things, as we would imagine...Beauty treatments after beauty treatment to prepare her for the big reveal to King Xerxes. Beauty treatments that lasted 12 months. 
Can you imagine being pampered for 12 months? Of course it sounds amazing and at first I am sure it would be fantastic. But wouldn't it get old after awhile? Wouldn't you start to feel as if you are just not good enough or you are not pretty enough? In our world today that's easy to feel that way. We see woman walk out top to bottom all done perfect and we look at ourselves...Hair not just right, makeup so so, clothes...Well they don't compare to what she has on. There is such a label on beauty in this world. Just know that your beauty sets eternally with God and He makes EVERYTHING beautiful in HIS time. And to Him, we are all beautiful no matter if we spend 0 minutes or 12 months on beauty treatments.
Scenario #3 - It's Tough Being a Woman in a Mean World Turnaround Verse: 1 Timothy 18:19 -- Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.
Let's face it. The world is mean. It is full of cruel people and circumstances. In the story of Esther, the entire Jewish nation was sentenced to death because one Jewish man would not bow down to the king of Persia's right-hand man, Haman. It was because Haman perceived this man as a personal  and national threat that the Jews were destined to be annihilated. 
Isn't this when meanness often shows up, in response to a threat, either real or perceived? Psalm 26, verse 27 says that setting a trap for others will only cause you to stumble into it. While we are called to the "good fight," it is not a fight against the flesh, but against the powers of Satan. Isn't better for us, then, to take our concerns to God instead of attempting to "take care" of them ourselves?
Scenario #4 - It's Tough Being a Woman Thrown a Giant-Sized Weight Turnaround Verse:  Deuteronomy 23:5 -- But the Lord your God refused to listen to Balaam. He turned the intended curse into a blessing because the Lord your God loves you.
The passage of scripture related to this scenario contains one of the most well-known phrases in the book of Esther. "For such a time as this..." suggests that Esther was made to be queen for the purpose of saving the Jews. You might say it was her destiny. The Jews were scheduled to be killed and it became Esther's task to fix it. However, for Esther, approaching the king without being called, even though he was her husband, put her own life in danger.
Making this decision was not easy for Esther. There was no quick fix. And, failing to make a decision was not an option. This is where the study referenced, developing your "spiritual muscles." Discovering your destiny takes time in prayer, dedication to following God's will, and perseverance. And, you may discover that it is not in your timing, does not go your way and is not just for you. The good news is this: God is on your side and He will exchange the burden for a blessing.
Scenario #5 - It's Tough Being a Woman in a Tight Fist of Fear Turnaround Verse:  1 John 4:18 -- There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.
Esther had a choice to make. She was facing the ultimate fear - death. She could let fear overcome her and ultimately let it kill her, or she could make the choice to stand up in the face of fear and forever change the course of history.
Denial of the problem causing fear in you life is not courage. Courage is denying the authority that the fear has over you. How many of you are tortured by the "what if's" in life? I'll bet just about every one of us! This section of the study on Esther had a huge impact on me. Through this I learned that it's not enough to just trust God that our biggest fear won't happen because the enemy will torture us with that fear. We must not have conditional faith - Lord if you protect me then I'll trust you. The key is that we must trust Him EVEN IF. We must walk through this life knowing that even if something painful happens, He will take care of us. Even if our prayer isn't answered the way we want it to be, He is still sovereign. He alone knows what is best for us. He alone knows the outcome. Through this lesson I {Julie} have made it my goal to trust him with my children. I have chosen to not let that fear have any authority over my thoughts or my actions! What is your biggest fear? Where do you need to trust your King, even if?
Scenario #6 - It's Tough Being a Woman who can Balance Passion with Patience Turnaround Verses:  Isaiah 40:31 -- Those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. Proverbs 16:18 -- Pride {thinking we know what's best} goes before destruction.
Patience. Oh patience, why is it so hard to have?! It is crucial for Esther to move forward with the right timing. She had to make sure that the timing was right for not only Xerxes but also Haman. She is approaching an evil man with a death wish for all of the Jewish people as well as the man who is her husband, but who also holds the power to annihilate her and all of her people with the seal of his signet ring. She is passionate about the stand she must take but she is also wise enough to know that she must not jump too quickly. There is wisdom that comes with wait.
Our culture is training us for impatience. It teaches us that we shouldn't have to wait for anything. We should really have what we want right at our fingertips all of the time shouldn't we? Girls Beth taught us that in our wait, God is NEVER inactive. Though we may not see it, the things on Earth are lining up with the things in Heaven. God is always working, it is up to us to wait for his go ahead - for his permission to move. In Beth's words, "There is a power that comes with wisdom and wait. A wise woman knows when it's the right time."
Scenario #7 - It's Tough Being a Woman Who Feels Responsible for the How Turnaround Verses: 2 Peter 2:9 --  if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. Psalm 103:14 -- for he knows how we are formed...
Although Esther was Jewish, that fact wasn't known by the king or anyone else in the kingdom. In order to save her people, she had to tell that truth. She had to be willing to bring up her past. And, she was. Because ultimately, she trusted that God had called her to this time and place for this reason. Although it appeared that the well-being of an entire people group was on her shoulders, she was not responsible for how it all worked out. She was called to approach the king, to make the request. It was God who did the rest.
The same is true for you, and for me. We are not responsible for how it all works out. We just have to be willing to tell the truth about ourselves...where we've come from and where we hope to go. We also have to be willing to seek the Lord and his wisdom. Then, He will do the rest. If we trust in God, He will reverse the "detours of adversity" into the "highways of destiny."
To live for the greatness of God is to love the great life.  - Beth Moore, Esther
What is God calling you to do in order to fulfill your destiny? No matter what it is, He will guide and protect you. And, all things will be beautiful, in His time and according to His will.

Stand Firm

I know there is brokenness in the world. I know there are people who are struggling. But, my perspective has changed drastically since I began offering to pray for others who are broken.

Last week, I wrote an article for Unveiled Wife about protecting your marriage. At the end of the article I offered for readers to email me their prayer requests regarding their marriage. The response I got was unexpected.

The day the article came out I got two emails. The next morning, I had four more. And, they just kept coming. All day. All week.

Emails from all over the world. From women and men who were hurting in their life because of difficulties in their marriages. Story after story of brokenness and a need for prayer. I felt both saddened and honored. I was devastated by the thought that so many people were hurting. I also felt blessed (and a little overwhelmed) that God had sent these people to me, allowing me to pray for them and their marriages.

There have been times when I have not offered prayer because I am afraid that no one will respond, or if they do that my prayers will no be sufficient. But, it's not about me. It's about God and how He wants to use me. If He desires it, it will be and He will be sufficient.

I have been up early many mornings lately. During that time when my house is quiet, I have been trying to take the opportunity not to be busy, but to rest. To read, pray and write about what God is teaching me. The morning after the article, I was awake and was led to pray this, "Lord, if you desire for me to be a part of something bigger than myself, lead me there. Show me what you desire." Within an hour, the emails came. I had my answer.

Although you don't know these women and men by name or their stories, I ask that you would join me as I pray for them. Pray for broken, and in some case, shattered, marriages. Pray for me, as well. That God would continue to use me for His will and that I would follow his lead.

I am convinced that the closer we get to God, the more Satan attacks. He is uncomfortable with this closeness and wants to see us perish. I have experienced this first hand. Since I have begun writing about God and sharing the desires of my heart so openly, I have had more periods of stress and anxiety and doubt. It is important in these times to continue to seek God, not to become angry with him or forget him.

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.

1 Corinthians 16:13

Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

Ephesians 6:11

It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built.

Luke 6:48

Will you stand firm in Christ with me?

The Big Reveal {Family Photos 2013}

When I thought about having kids, what I really thought about was having babies. About diapers and late nights, first words and other milestones. I didn't think much about what it would be like to have kids in school, doing homework and being involved in extra-curricular activities. I didn't think about having teenagers or how my relationship will change with my kids once they are in college. I think about it now, though.
My kids aren't babies anymore. And, honestly, I am grateful for that. They are little people, nearly 11, 8 and 5. They have their own thoughts, feelings and interests, and make them known to me daily. They are unique to themselves, despite being raised by the same parents. And, I know they will continue to change, not just in a physical way, but in an emotional way as well.
That's one of the reasons, I wanted to capture them now, in this moment. Because so much is going to change. I don't want to freeze time or keep them from growing up, I simply want to document each moment, as it is. Our family photos, did just that...

P.S. In case you missed my posts on how to prepare for family photos, how to choose what outfits to wear, and what not to do during your photo shoot, see my previous posts here and here.
P.P.S. A huge thank-you to Kimi-G Photography for taking all of the amazing photos!
photos are my personal property and cannot be copied without my permission