Inspiring Life Books has published a collection of prompted journals to inspire and encourage believers to trust God’s sovereignty. In the journal, Inspiring Hope: A Journal for encouragement in trials and difficult season from the Book of Esther, our readers reflect on events in Esther’s life and how God used everything to bring about His sovereign plan for His people. We must trust God with the unexpected circumstances in our lives, because He knows every day of our lives and has resolved our issues since before the foundations of the world. You can purchase our books and journals by clicking the bookstore link above. I pray that you will be encouraged to trust God as He journeys with you through life’s unexpected events. Here is an excerpt from this journal:

The book of Esther opens with a usual day of fanfare at the royal palace.  The king gave a banquet to display all he had accomplished to his royal cabinet, military leaders, those of high esteem within the providences, and others of influence.  This showing of his accomplishments lasted for six months in the present calendar days.  After this time, King Ahasuerus continued his royal feasting. He gave another banquet, which only lasted seven days, but this one included everyone in the citadel.  Esther’s author also details how beautifully decorated the palace was during these events. 
 
We see that on the seventh day, the king brings in Queen Vashti to display her beauty, but Queen Vashti rejects the king’s orders.  Looking back on how this week began, one would think it was a festive and joyous time at the palace.  The King had no reservations about requesting Vashti to show off her beauty.  The royal guest also appeared to anticipate her presence.  But for Vashti, what began with a celebration of great pomp would end with an unexpected turn of events.  She had to decide if she was going to allow herself to be a spectacle for men’s pleasure or lose her role of power as queen. I don’t think too many women would have made Esther’s choice because people love power, fame and notoriety. I commend Vashti for not allowing herself to be used as an object to exploit. She showed that there was more to her than her looks and that she was not going to allow herself to be disrespected in such a way.

 
Have you ever had your day start as usual, and because of another person’s decision, your life was significantly impacted by difficulty?  How did you respond?  How can you relate to Vashti’s plight?  What did you learn about yourself through this trial? And how did God use this situation to draw you closer to Him?  Take time to start journaling and you will experience the faithful care of our loving God and Father.