Today's reading seems to me to deal with fright and peace--fright in the face of problems, and peace in the knowledge of God.  In today's Old Testament reading, Esther is "seized with deathly anxiety."

What a surprise.

It seems that anxiety is a daily occurrence for most of us these days.  In some ways it's nice to know that our spiritual ancestors of 2000+ years ago had anxiety--it makes us feel less alone.  On the other hand, anxiety is no fun--no fun at all.  When we have anxiety, we feel set apart--alone, as Esther feels--beset with afflictions.  We feel set apart, sometimes, from God.

The good part is that God does answer--the Psalmist tells us that "thou didst answer me, " and that "my strength of soul thou didst increase. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou dost preserve my life; thou dost stretch out thy hand against the wrath of my enemies, and thy right hand delivers me."  God knows what we are going through.

Knowing this is a powerful tonic.  It  works.  Some days I drive into work feeling like there's a gorilla in my office I'll have to wrestle to get through the day.  But then I try to remember why I am here--what I am here to do--and what tools I've been given to accomplish my task--among them the support and love of a very understanding God--and things fall into perspective.  I share my imagined fears with God, and they seem much less. By the time I get to the office door, I know there's no gorilla.  As Shakespeare wrote (though he meant it for a sweetheart, I don't think he'll mind my appropriating it here): "...thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings/ That then I scorn to change my state with kings."

But there's a little price for all this good stuff.  Matthew tells us: "Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."   So far, so good.  But doesn't this seem a little too, well, easy?  Granted, God loves us all and will love us all, always.  But should we do something in return?  Matthew gives us a gentle hint: "...So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them."  Be nice. Understand.  Think.  Have perspective.  Don't be a jerk, don't get steamed at the poor slob in the other car who may well have had a day like you nearly had. There, but for the grace of God, etc....

Or in other words, take a little baby step toward being more like God.  It's not too much to ask, given the returns we get.