ESTHER 1:17-18
“For the queen’s behavior will become known to all women,
so that they will despise their husbandsin their eyes, when they report, King Ahasuerus
commanded Queen Vashti to be brought in before him, but she did not come. This very day the
noble ladies of Persia
and Media will say to all the king’s officials that they have heard of the behaviour of the
queen: Thusthere will be, excessive contempt and wrath.”
Overreacting can have unexpected results. One mother related that she came home from a
shopping trip to find her five children in a huddle. Curious as to what could be so

intriguing, she slipped up behind them and peeked over their shoulders.
To her horror she saw the kids had captured five baby skunks. “Quick, children, run!” she
shouted. Thinking some disaster was about to happen, they scattered to all parts of the house
each with a baby skunk in his arms. The mother’s over reaction insured that every room got
its share of the spray.
When King Ahasuerus’ advisors overreacted, they created an equally odious situation. What
could have been merely a personal family matter was blown into an issue of national
security.
Consequently, their suggestion to remove Vashti as queen (v. 19)far exceeded the crime. Often the intensity of the moment causes situations to loom far larger than they really
are. When we overreact to such circumstances, sometimes justice gets trampled in the
stampede. Then we regret our responses when we later view them more objectively.
Are there things in your life that seem unbearable? Does someone always rub you the
wrong way? Before you overreact, ask God to show you His purpose in your frustrations.
View them with eternity’s telescope. Get God’s viewpoint before you react.
A MOMENT OF PRAYERFUL REFLECTION CAN PREVENT A LIFETIME OF
BITTER REGRET.

WOODROW KROLL
www.backtothebible.in