Thriving through chaos: Lessons from Esther, Ruth and Rahab

Get inspiration for navigating and triumphing over overwhelming challenges from Esther, Ruth, and Rahab. This episode offers timeless lessons on how we can thrive through adversity. Plus an opportunity to activate your own shield of faith and thrive through chaos in the Healing the Heart retreat taking place on the beautiful Island of Tobago. 

References in this episode

Does Perfection Precede Purpose? JKO shares some lessons from the Bible
CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD: When Your Kinsman Does not Help
Thriving through chaos: Journey to clarity with faith
Thriving through chaos: The role of faith in unlocking forgiveness and healing
Thriving through chaos: A Naturopath’s Insight into the Healing Power of Faith

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Transcript

Welcome to this episode of Messy Can't Stop Her! I am your host, Judith Kambia Obatusa (JKO). We have been talking about activating the shield of faith to thrive through chaos and in the last 3 episodes, we interviewed 3 women, including yours truly about the role of faith and the 2024 Healing the Heart Retreat in Tobago. A link to sign up for the retreat will be in the show notes of this episode. I will encourage you to check out the retreat link and the links to the 3 episodes as well. They will be in the show notes too.

On today’s episode, we will be exploring how 3 women in Bible times who defied the odds and thrived through chaos by activating the shield of faith. 

But before we delve into these stories, I want to take a moment to reflect on the power of faith amidst life's storms. We've all faced moments of turmoil, uncertainty, and despair. Whether it's the loss of a loved one, financial struggles, health challenges, or personal setbacks, chaos has a way of knocking us off balance. Yet, it is precisely in those moments that we need an unyielding confidence in something beyond ourselves. Faith is that unwavering trust, It is the anchor that steadies us when life's waves threaten to engulf and carry us away. 

When the world around us seems full of chaos and crisis, faith reminds us that there's a higher purpose at play. Like the shield of the warriors of old, faith protects us from the fiery darts of fear, doubt, and despair, enabling us to stand firm in the face of adversity.

As we journey through, let us draw inspiration from the stories of the stories of these women.

Esther: Courage in Crisis

Our first journey takes us back to ancient Persia, where Queen Esther's unwavering faith in God empowered her to stand against injustice. Esther, a Jewish orphan, found herself elevated to the position of Queen, seemingly by chance. Little did she know that her divine appointment would be tested in a time of crisis.

The crisis unfolded when Haman, a high-ranking official, devised a plot to annihilate the Jewish people. Esther faced a perilous decision: to remain silent and preserve her own life or to step into the unknown, risking everything for the sake of her people.

Esther's pivotal moment of faith came when her cousin Mordecai urged her to use her position to intervene. In a poignant display of courage, Esther approached the king uninvited, a move that could result in her death. She uttered the famous words, "If I perish, I perish" (Esther 4:16), showcasing her unwavering trust in God's providence.

The result? Esther's courage led to the exposure of Haman's plot, the salvation of her people, and a profound demonstration of God's faithfulness even in the face of imminent danger.

Esther's story teaches us that faith is not passive; it's a force that propels us to take bold actions, even when the odds seem insurmountable. Her triumph underscores the transformative power of faith in the midst of crisis.

Ruth: Loyalty and Redemption

Our next journey takes us to the fields of Bethlehem, where Ruth's tale unfolds. A poignant narrative of loyalty, faith, and unexpected blessings, Ruth's story showcases the transformative power of steadfast commitment.

Ruth, a Moabite widow, chose to accompany her mother-in-law, Naomi, back to Bethlehem after both women faced the harsh reality of widowhood. Ruth's declaration, "Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge" (Ruth 1:16), reverberates with unwavering faith and commitment.

In Bethlehem, Ruth gleaned in the fields of Boaz, a distant relative. Her resilience and humility caught Boaz's attention, leading to a beautiful love story and, more importantly, redemption for Ruth and Naomi.

The turning point in Ruth's faith journey came during the harvest season when she followed Naomi's guidance to approach Boaz at the threshing floor. This bold act of faith set in motion a sequence of events that would eventually lead to Ruth becoming an ancestor of King David.

Ruth's story encapsulates the profound truth that faithfulness in small, seemingly mundane acts can lead to extraordinary outcomes. Her unwavering loyalty, combined with a deep trust in God's providence, transformed her life and became an integral part of the lineage of Jesus Christ.

Ruth's legacy challenges us to embrace loyalty, demonstrate faithfulness in our relationships, and trust that God can turn our ordinary stories into extraordinary testimonies of His grace.

Rahab: Courageous Faith in the Face of Adversity

Our exploration of remarkable women of faith brings us to Rahab, a woman whose story unfolds in the city of Jericho. Rahab's tale is one of courage, redemption, and unwavering faith in the face of daunting circumstances.

Rahab's narrative begins as Joshua sends spies to scout the land before the Israelites' conquest of Jericho. This strategic city presented a formidable challenge, and the spies sought refuge in Rahab's house. Rahab, however, was no ordinary woman—she was a harlot, an occupation often associated with societal scorn.

Despite her societal standing, Rahab's faith in the God of Israel was unyielding. She had heard of the miracles wrought by this God—how He parted the Red Sea for the Israelites, and fear gripped the hearts of the inhabitants of Canaan. Rahab's faith led her to make a daring choice: to hide the Israelite spies and align herself with God's chosen people.

In a pivotal moment, Rahab demonstrated her faith by uttering words that resonate through generations: "I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen upon us." Her plea for protection extended beyond herself to her family, and the scarlet cord she hung from her window marked her dwelling for salvation.

As the walls of Jericho crumbled, Rahab and her family were spared, a testament to the transformative power of faith. Rahab's story challenges conventional notions, illustrating that faith transcends societal judgments. Her inclusion in the lineage of Jesus Christ, as mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew, further underscores the redemptive nature of her journey.

Rahab's legacy echoes through scripture, reminding us that God's mercy extends to all who, like Rahab, embrace courageous faith in Him, transcending circumstances and societal expectations.

Esther, Ruth, and Rahab are examples of how faith can help us triumph over chaos and adversity. My prayer is that their stories have inspired us to activate our own shields of faith in the midst of life's storms.

Their courage, loyalty, and unwavering trust in God serve as timeless reminders that faith is not just a belief but a force that can transform our lives and even reshape our destinies. 

If you have been inspired by these stories and would like to deepen your faith and resilience, join us for a transformative experience in the Healing the Heart retreat in Tobago this May. Immerse yourself in a supportive community, engage in enriching discussions, and embark on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual renewal. Don't miss out on this opportunity to activate your own shield of faith and thrive through life's storms. Check out the link in the show notes for more information and to reserve your spot today.

Next week we will be taking a look at how some of the women in the world's history activated their shields of faith, and forged paths of resilience and hope despite almost overwhelming challenges. 

My sister listening, will you commit to step out in courage like Esther, to demonstrate loyalty and faithfulness like Ruth, and to refuse to be held down by shame but instead embrace courageous faith like Rahab? When you do this, messy won’t stop you. Thank you so much for listening and see you next time.