Navigating fear with faith like Esther
Building a flywheel of success for life and career
“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” - Esther 4:16
Esther became queen unexpectedly, still very young and inexperienced. Now, with a crisis looming over her people, she faced the terrifying task of approaching the king unsummoned—a risk that could cost her life. Though she was afraid, her uncle Mordecai urged her forward, and Esther responded with humility and courage: pray and fast with me… and then I will go.
In our lives too, fear often grips us when opportunities or challenges arise. I remember when I finished college, many friends encouraged me to move to Bangalore. Yet, after reading a news report about violence in the city, fear held me back. I chose to stay in Chennai, but that decision led to several struggles until, years later, I finally moved to Bangalore—and my life changed for the better.
Fear can paralyze us, especially when we try to act in our own strength. Esther’s story reminds us that prayer and fasting prepare the heart not just for courage, but for wisdom. Notice that after prayer, Esther didn’t rush in blindly—she moved with strategy, inviting the king to a banquet, then another, before wisely presenting her plea.
Similarly, when we seek God together with trusted friends, He grants us both boldness to take the first step and wisdom to walk wisely. Fears may not vanish overnight, but prayer transforms our posture from hesitation to holy courage.
Don’t just fight fear alone—fast, pray, and move forward in faith.
Action Items
- Identify one fear you are currently facing in your corporate life or personal decisions.
- Find a prayer partner—someone trustworthy, possibly someone walking a similar path—and commit to pray together over this fear for a specific period.
- List and take small baby steps towards the decision God is leading you to, trusting Him for courage and wisdom in each step.