Stepping Over The Setbacks

Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!”

Nehemiah 4:14

Have you ever headed up a project where things seem to be going smoothly, and then suddenly everything comes apart at the seams? When I am in those situations and am ready to throw up my hands in defeat and physically want to throw up from stress, I take a cue from Nehemiah.

What a crisis call Nehemiah gave to rally his “God troops”! Nehemiah is a good example of strong leadership and perseverance, and I am fascinated to watch him organize those under him. The way he communicated with his team makes me want to be on the front lines with him. Nehemiah was a leader who prayed and acted with great courage, even when he faced great opposition.

Nehemiah pointed people toward God to reinforce their courage: “Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious.” (That would make a sweet tweet!) First Nehemiah prayed, and then he evaluated the situation for rebuilding the Temple, knowing full well that God’s people would continue to be targeted by their enemies. So he prepared his workers by reminding them who was really in control of their work and their future!

Even though I am not a contractor, I really enjoyed reading Nehemiah’s “business plan and blueprints.” He persevered even when things slowed down. When troubles fell at his feet, he helped the people learn to step over the barricades of opposition and continue moving forward in faith.

God’s people can always expect opposition—it’s part of our faith journey as well as life in general. Because we live in a broken and hurting world, we face a spiritual battle every day, being waged outside our personal walls as well as right smack within our walls. We need to remember not to be discouraged when things don’t go exactly as planned, but instead, to live with the courage and perseverance of Nehemiah.

Remember that the Lord fights for you and me, and do not be afraid.