Haman’s Syndrome

The book of Esther is about courage and God’s perfect timing in everything, even though His name is not mentioned in it. I love the book of Esther and recently I have been studying it again. Esther has been made queen after Queen Vashti was sent away for not obeying the king’s order. Haman, the second in command only to the king, has plotted to kill the Jews because Mordecai will not bow down to him. Queen Esther courageously requested an audience before the king and invited him and Haman to two banquets so she could reveal Haman’s plot to kill her people, the Jews. That’s where we are in Esther 5:9-14. Haman left the banquet glad until he saw Mordecai and he would not bow to him. Haman went home and sent for his friends and his wife.

Esther 5: 11 Then Haman recounted to them the glory of his riches, and the number of his sons, and every instance where the king had magnified him and how he had promoted him above the princes and servants of the king. 12 Haman also said, “ Even Esther the queen let no one but me come with the king to the banquet which she had prepared; and tomorrow also I am invited by her with the king. 13 “ Yet all of this does not satisfy me every time I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.”

Haman had so many things to be thankful for but let one thing burn in his heart and bring him anger, which eventually was his demise. I call this Haman’s Syndrome. It made me think how many times I forget God’s blessings and focus on one thing that makes me angry. The times that things don’t go my way. The times things are not done the way I want them done. The times there is a mess I need to clean up. The times a car cuts me off. The times someone says a mean comment. The times when my children don’t do what I ask them to do. I don’t want Haman’s Syndrome. I want to be thankful for all things and keep my focus on God even when things don’t go my way.

I think of how many times I complain or get angry at life's interruptions. Then I remember God’s sovereignty. Recently I was getting impatient at one of my children for making us late. When we were final on our way, we drove by a recent accident and I wondered if maybe God had used my pokey child to save us from an accident. I need to remember God is sovereign and can use all things for His Glory.

God, please help me to stop after I list my blessings, and not focus on a negative and fall into Haman’s Syndrome.

Pray these prayers for the youth of this city taken from “Praying Circles Around the Lives of Your Children” by Mark Batterson:

Pray that they choose Christ.

Pray that our youth will be “dangerous for His purposes so they can make a difference in their generation.”

Pray they will grow in confidence, a “holy confidence that comes from doing the will of God for the glory of God.”

Pray they are anchored in “the power of God, the grace of God, and the word of God.”

Along with praying for a hedge of protection, “pray that they would courageously invade enemy territory with the light and love of Jesus.”

#JeriAbraham