When God calls you, it’s not automatically a smooth-sailing journey. There are challenges, and challenges are not necessarily indicators that you’re not where God is asking you to be. Here’s how Esther responded to her challenges.

This is the second installment of my five-part republishing of an old (2012) blog series taken from the book of Esther. When God calls you, character is very important. You can read about how Esther’s character was crucial to her promotion here.

The Story & My Thoughts

4:14 Mordecai to Esther: 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 royal position for such a time as this?

If I don’t heed the call, someone else will do it. If I don’t speak the word, someone else will say it. God’s plans will happen with me or without me. What is my choice? I’d rather be used by God than just watch. 4:16 Esther to Mordecai: Pray and fast for me. I will go. And if I perish, I perish.

Esther knew she needed God to get her through this, and that she needed people to stand with her in prayer (and fasting).

Esther was courageous—her confidence was in God. She was determined and committed to heed her call no matter how difficult the situation is or can be come. In fact, she was determined and committed to heed her call to her last breath.

Up next, see what happens when there’s a “Not yet” in the midst of what God is calling you out for.

I am the author of the book, When God Could’ve But He Didn’t. I am the happy wife of my happy husband, Pao. As I write this, both of us are happily hoping for at least two more children.