Let's be honest. We've all had discouraging times in our lives. We've all had those times when we just wanted to quit. Maybe you are in one of those times right now. Maybe you are a leader and things in your organization are very discouraging--maybe it is your team that is discouraged. Well, you can take heart from a great lesson from Nehemiah found in chapter 4. First, notice five causes of discouragement:
- Opposition (vv1-3,8)
- Physical fatigue (v10)
- Foggy vision (v10b)
- Loss of confidence (v10c)
- Lack of security (v11)--this could be physical, financial, etc.
Nehemiah was a great leader, and as a great leader, Nehemiah chose to lead his team through the discouragement rather than throwing up his hands. Nehemiah addressed the situation--he didn't dismiss it, minimize it or ignore it. He tackled it head-on with prayer (vv4,5,9), organization (vv13, 16-18, 21-22), motivation (v14), and by establishing a rallying point (v19). Most of all, Nehemiah was right there with the people, leading by example. He asked the people to stay vigilant and focused, and he did the same. Notice verse 22, "Neither I, my brethren, my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me took off our clothes except that everyone took them off for washing." Nehemiah is a great lesson on the fact that we can't wish away discouragement but we can break through it with prayer and concrete action.
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at www.maxpoint.org/message_board.
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