ESTHER 1:17-18: “For the queen’s behavior will become known to all women, so that they will
despise their husbands in 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: Thus there 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.