How likely is it that a young foreign girl who is orphaned could rise to become queen over a country and then affect history through her courageous act? Queen Esther is that woman. She has her own book in the Old Testament and Jewish congregations continue to celebrate her courage the world over each year at the feast of Purim.

When I think about the powerless condition of Esther her courage is remarkable. Esther was elevated to be queen after the former queen displeased the king. When Esther was made aware that the king’s close advisor intended to annihilate the Jews she had a choice before her. She could risk incurring the disfavor of the king like her predecessor or sit quietly by and hope that when her people were killed no one would discover that she was also a Jew.

Once Esther made her decision she threw caution to the wind. Her famous line is; “And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16)! I think the heart of courage is always this attitude. Courage says that this is the right thing to do and therefore I will do it regardless of the consequences.

Courage doesn’t mean we aren’t scared but that we proceed in spite of fear. Courage doesn’t mean we don’t see risk but that we proceed in spite of risk. Courage gets to the bottom line, crosses that line and then doesn’t look back. If you are facing a scary situation right now, sit down and read the book of Esther. Let her story inspire you. Borrow her heart of courage and go for it!