As construction on the wall began so did the ridicule from those who opposed the work. As the progress continued the insults increased into threats and intimidation. To an extent I believe that every person who has ever set out to do anything has encountered this. Opposition is a fact of life. The simple act of getting up every day is in direct opposition to the force of gravity. Gravity wants to pull us back down. Now this force is a minor one because we learn to overcome it without even thinking about it. What about when other things or people oppose us? How do we react? Let’s take a closer look at what Nehemiah and his workers did in chapter 4.
Initially it was just more ridicule. Remember back in chapter one that Nehemiah learned that the people were in distress and reproach. Well, since the work was underway these influential outsiders were poking fun at the people building the wall. We have all been there. Whether it was the popular kids in school, critics at work, neighbors, the media, or family members we have all had people criticize something that we were doing or hoping to do. We’ve heard things like, “You can’t do that,” “You’ll never amount to anything,” or “What makes you think that you are so special.” It hurts when people say that. How should we respond? I think that it is best to respond the way Nehemiah did. He prayed about it and then ignored it. Did it hurt? I’m sure it did. How much more would it have hurt if Nehemiah had allowed their words to stop the construction of the wall? Sometimes the best response that you can give your critics is to just ignore them until you achieve success.
As the wall grew the critics saw that their criticism was not having an effect so they decided to do something about it. They decided to get aggressive and started plotting an attack. Isn’t that just like some people in life? When they can’t get the response that they want they get violent. What should we do when people threaten us? I believe that we should do what Nehemiah had the people do. He armed the people. He told them to remember God. He told them that they would be fighting for their families and their property. Then he sent them back to work. Yes, I said he sent them back to work not to war. Violence was only to be used in self defense. Then the work continued and these bullies backed down.
Through the entire period Nehemiah gave the people unity and purpose. He prepared them for battle bud did not allow that to distract from the main goal. The mission was to complete the wall not to defeat the enemies. I think that there are times when we get so focused on other people that we forget about the thing that we are supposed to be doing and why we are doing it. I hesitated for a long time about this blog out of the fear of criticism. I had self doubt and a lack of security about how I would face the critics and their critiques. Well, I have started building my wall and so far I have only received positive feedback. The goal is for me to gain a better understanding of the Bible and hopefully help others do the same. Critics will come but they are not the purpose and I hope that I can remember that. We all have something inside us that we feel we should do but we are afraid. We doubt our abilities. We wonder how others will respond. I hope that this chapter encourages you. Pray about whatever that thing is and then get to work. Prepare yourself for opposition because it will come. Arm yourself for battle but only in self defense. Let them talk. I know it hurts but it will be so worth it when you finish your “wall”. If you are like me you are thinking, “What if I fail?”
“Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumph even though checkered by failure, than to rank with the poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.” ~Theodore Roosevelt
So what if you fail. At least you tried. Get back up and try again. “What about the critics?”
“If someone is kicking you in the seat of the pants you know that you are in front of them.” ~Jack Hyles
What about the critics? When they come then you will know that someone is taking notice. Now go build your “wall.”
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