So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?”

Nehemiah 6:3

Being distracted by naysayers is one of the many reasons that people give up on their God-given dreams and visions. Naysayers are those who talk against your dream or vision, hoping you will fall prey to their tricks and schemes. Their plan is to weaken your resolve by causing you to have doubts and fears. If you listen to their noise, you will begin to wonder, “Can I really achieve this dream?” “Did God really give me this vision?” As a result, you will probably abort your dreams and visions, thus falling into the ploy of your haters.

Naysayers do not want to see you win!

Naysaying is nothing new, however.  It has been around since biblical days. Nehemiah, an Old Testament character, had a big dream and a call from God to rebuild the broken-down walls of his hometown, Jerusalem. And yes, he had to deal with naysayers.

When three neighboring officials received the news that Nehemiah had come to town to repair the walls, they were furious and determined to stop the work. However, Nehemiah’s faithful God, had already equipped and empowered him for the work. God had given him the strategy and forbearance to deal with opposition. So, when the haters, Sanballat, Tobiah and Gresham, began to hurl insults and make threats on his life and the lives of the workers, Nehemiah used the wisdom that God had endowed him with to keep his focus on his God-given task.

Notice also, Nehemiah did not retaliate. When the naysayers confronted him, he didn’t respond by fighting back. He asked God to deal with them. Nehemiah knew that reacting to naysayers would be counterproductive. He disregarded their invitation for a meeting by sending them this statement, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you” (Nehemiah 6:3)? Kudos to Nehemiah!

My friend, the work that God has given you is too precious to lose time and energy on haters. Do not render evil for evil! God is more than enough to deal with your haters.

Not only did Nehemiah have to keep himself encouraged, he had to keep the workers and their families encouraged and safe during this unnecessary barrage of insults. He constantly reminded them of their great and awesome God, and the favor that was upon the work and their lives. Nehemiah showed them how to work with a tool in one hand and a weapon in the other.

During these turbulent times in which we live, we must also learn to work with our tools in one hand and a weapon to keep us safe in the other. It’s up to you to determine whether it should be a spiritual weapon or a natural weapon. I heard a great leader say lately, that you better be strapped in your place of work, school or even in the church, and I don’t mean with the Word. SELAH!

Last, but certainly not least, Nehemiah prayed. He stayed in communication with God. He asked his God to strengthen him for the work and how to deal with his enemies. Prayer is the key to achieving any goal. If your assignment is from God, you will have to deal with naysayers, haters and backbiters. It comes with the territory. Suit-up and get to work. Use Nehemiah’s strategies as an example to keep yourself and your workers encouraged and energized. You can do like Nehemiah and finish the work in record time. (See Nehemiah 1-13.)

You can read more about naysayers as a dream killer in my book, “Hold On To Your Dream!” www.Amazon.com

Pray…

Lord, I know you have given me visions and dreams. I have a great assignment. Please help me to stay focused on my task and give me the strength to rise above all the noise that speaks against me and the work you have given me. Amen.

Posted by on Wednesday, March 7th, 2018 @ 9:24AM
Categories: Inspirational