5 Extraordinary Ways Ordinary People Can Be More Like Esther

Do you ever feel like the challenges you’re facing are too overwhelming? Esther probably did. Esther has become a well-loved Bible story among children and adults, often bringing a particular Veggie Tales episode to mind. But the enthralling tale is much more significant than a few vegetables onscreen. In Esther’s story, a Jewish orphan girl puts her life on the line to save her people from destruction. Though these events happened centuries ago, Esther provides many things we can learn in the 21st century.

1. Reject Despair

Esther and her uncle Mordecai have many legitimate reasons to lose hope. There’s an evil leader, the king is making murderous decrees, they are stuck in a foreign nation, and lives are at stake. In any other scenario, it would be time to panic. Instead, Esther rejects despair. She chooses to overcome her helplessness with hope. Though she’s just an ordinary girl, she believes she can make a difference. We can do the same when we remember that nothing is impossible with God! (Luke 1:37)

2. Listen to Wisdom

When the king chooses Esther as his new bride, she faces many dangerous predicaments. Should she reveal her identity? Should she speak before the king without permission? Is it possible to save her people? Though Esther exhibits strength, she still takes the opportunity to seek advice. Throughout the book, Mordecai gives her counsel, and she follows it. It is wise to seek help when you need it. (Proverbs 13:10)

3. Use Your Voice

At the crux of this story, Esther goes before the king without permission. This is forbidden. She could be put to death, but she knows that the Jewish people could be killed if she doesn’t speak up. Speaking the truth isn’t easy, and sometimes there are grave consequences. Just like Esther, we can feel confident that our voice has power. We should use it to speak for those who can’t. (Proverbs 31:8-9)

4. Have Courage

Esther is remembered for her courage. Her infamous words in Esther 4:16 state, “If I perish, I perish.” Even though she’s risking her life, she goes to great lengths to save her people. Courage doesn’t always feel brave or strong. Sometimes you will risk your job, your reputation, your relationships, or your safety for the sake of justice. Esther’s hands probably shook before entering the king’s court, but her people owed their lives to that moment.

5. Trust God

The name of God isn’t mentioned in the book of Esther. Does that mean he was absent? If you read closely, you will notice that He seems present in every detail. God doesn’t always save us with flashy miracles. He doesn’t remove our fear when we pray for strength. Sometimes He pushes us to take a leap of faith without knowing if He’ll come through. Esther’s story is messy and complicated, but that doesn’t mean God wasn’t there. Esther had faith, and God made a way. (Psalm 9:10)

Sometimes we put the heroes from the Bible on a pedestal, but they were just ordinary people that God used to do extraordinary things. Esther was young, imperfect, scared, and confused. But she was also brave, wise, strong, and resilient with God’s help. Most of our heroes were just people trying to do the next right thing. This is good news because we can do that too. Through Esther’s example, we can learn to be brave and trust God even when the odds are stacked against us.