Don't be discouraged
In Nehemiah chapter 4, we read about the opposition that Nehemiah faced when he was rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. The Bible tells us that Sanballat & Tobiah criticised them in order to discourage them. Most of us Christians find ourselves in the same situation, when we plan to do good or rise up to do good, people start to criticise us and ridicule us in order to weaken and discourage us. But Nehemiah was not discouraged by the criticism he face, instead, he became more determined to rebuild the wall.
Some of you are being called names and being reminded of your weakness when you want to do good. People tell you that you cannot do it because no man has done it, they tell you that no one has been educated in your family so why do you think you will get your degree. But look at what Nehemiah did, he continued and never gave up, because he had a vision and understood his vision.
When those enemies heard that Nehemiah was not discouraged, and he was succeeding in what he was doing, they even threatened him and started wanting to fight him. But Nehemiah would not give up. He continued to build the wall. In verse 17, the Bible tells us that with one hand they were building while with another they held weapons, ready for the battle against their enemies.
Child of God, why are you so easily discouraged? Why do you give up so easily? Can you understand that the situation of Nehemiah is exactly like your own. You cry because you are being opposed by Christians? You complain because your criticism is from inside the church? Those are your Sanballats and Tobiah, they have one mission and purpose, to discourage you from doing the work of God. I can tell you now that I was criticised and opposed by Christians in the church & some who called themselves my sons & daughters , but I did not give up.
For Nehemiah, his enemies were people of influence and in high position, because they influenced the people of Samaria & Ammonites against Nehemiah and the Jews. But Nehemiah still managed to stand and say “do not be afraid of them, remember the Lord who is great and awesome,(verse 15)”. You need to take your stand as a child of God and remember that God is with you. When I tried to go into ministry a lot of other pastors told me that I would fail, but I remembered the Lord who is Great and Awesome, and today I’m here changing lives.
You must stand your ground as a child of God, tell yourself that no matter how bad the situation is, no matter the poverty in my family, I will succeed, tell yourself that no matter my pain and affliction, I will still open my mouth and praise God, I will not lose hope, I will not give up. I know my God who has called me and I know He will fulfil his promise and see me trough. Do not be like those Christians whom when they go through trials they start looking for alternative solutions in sangomas (witch doctors) & ancestors. But remember the Lord, Great & Awesome.
Don’t even fall under peer pressure, because when times are hard, your peers will start to ask you where is your? Why is He not delivering you? But I’m here to tell you, that keep your focus on God. As Christians we are in a warfare, keep praying no matter what, and do not lose focus. God will not fail you. This is why the apostle Paul says I have fought the good fight of faith. You must also keep fighting. Don’t give up.
Do not allow the enemy to dictate your life, do not allow the enemy to determine your success, but know and trust in God. If you have God, your business will not fail, that sickness will not kill you, it might have killed many, but you have God on your side. Your Sanballat and Tobiah will not defeat you because your God is Great and Awesome.
To God be all the Glory.