Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

~Matthew 6:30 KJV

How do you cope with the stress of an important job interview?

Do you dress in your favorite power outfit? Assure yourself with a luxurious piece of jewelry? Perhaps, you promise yourself a new pair of shoes when the meeting is over.

The Bible addresses our training in handling anxiety in the book of Esther, and the secret is power dressing spiritually. A young Jewish woman, Esther, entered the royal courts of the ancient Medes and Persians. Her beloved mentor and cousin, Mordecai, had trained her well in godly practices, but anyone could be intimidated by the wealth and power of the influencers surrounding her. However, she allowed her priceless garments to point to greater spiritual truths. Her story rolls out on red carpet in the book named after her.

The best haute couture available in the world enveloped Esther as she competed for the world title of King Ahasuerus’ queen. Fellow contestants envied and copied her as they carefully remembered every detail of her exquisite appearance. As her attendants prepared her outwardly with unique fragrances, little-known beauty secrets, and top-quality fabrics uniquely suited to her frame, they observed her unusual calmness and maturity.

The way she presented herself puzzled them. The other contestants tried to understand the elusive quality about her that commanded their attention, and they knew without it, they could not win the king’s heart.

Years of training with her beloved guardian, Mordecai, had honed her intelligence and political savvy. But her mentor’s spiritual training also uniquely prepared her to save her people. Because of her training and preparation, she was able to focus on the Lord while the godless nation around her wallowed in distraction and confusion. Her inner beauty and focus on God glimmered through the sophistication of her garments and makeup.

Esther’s secret was power dressing within. Her faith in God was firmly established by the time of the beauty contest. As she was pushed into a godless world that beckoned so sensuously, she developed discernment for the treacherous and deceitful arena of politics by donning spiritual garments suitable for her task.

In today’s tornado-like world of confusion and lightning-quick changes, we need to imitate Esther as she wisely shows us how to dress for the whirling storms of life. Like her ultimate power-dressing strategy, we need a spiritual collection of clothes that prepare us for life.

We need key pieces in our closet, such as the garment of salvation hanging in the following Bible verse: For he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels (Isaiah 61:10 KJV).

We need everyday pieces such as work clothes found in John 13:4, where Jesus serves his disciples, using a towel.

A basic heavy-duty outfit that protects us when working in the trenches of life extends our ability to work. Each piece is carefully created for maximum use and efficiency. Read about this specialized wear tucked into the closet of Ephesians 6:11, called the armor of God.

Most wardrobes contain a statement garment that can be worn on special occasions. An appealing and lavish garment that lifts our heaviness is called praise, and it lays on the shelf of Isaiah 61:3.

Of course, our most treasured gown is our bridal dress as betrothed by the King of Kings. Psalm 45:13-14 locates this precious garment, carefully preserved in special wrappings and awaiting our wedding day.

Esther’s story provides a perfect backdrop for profound spiritual truth to the secret of power dressing. The Bible offers a powerful and stunning wardrobe for Christians, 

Are you dressed in power because you wear the spiritual clothing the Lord offers?

Heavenly Father, help me remember to dress spiritually for each day, knowing that You will empower my focus on You to glorify You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2022: The Secret to Power Dressing: Marlene Houk: All Rights Reserved