Embrace the Race: Persevering Through Challenging TimesSampel

Trauma This week we will study the life of Hadassah, who was also known as Esther. Hadassah was no stranger to trauma. At a young age, she lost both parents, and in the absence of family, her cousin Mordecai raised her.  Like many other Jewish captives, Hadassah and Mordecai lived relatively peaceful lives but not without discrimination. For fear of her safety, her cousin Mordecai ordered her to keep her Jewish identity hidden. Mordecai even changed Hadassah's name to Esther, a Persian name that would help conceal her Jewish background. When the King searched for a new bride, officials brought many young women to the palace. Esther was one of those women taken as a potential bride. She had no choice but to comply, leaving her cousin Modecai to begin a new life in the palace. She was chosen as Queen, not knowing God would use this as part of his plan to save her people. Daily Challenge: God is not the author of trauma in our lives. He can turn around our difficult circumstances and transform them into something good. Pray and ask God to begin healing any trauma from your past. Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for your healing presence in my life. Please heal the painful situations in my past and do a work of restoration in my life. In Jesus's name, Amen.