Thursday, May 2, 2019
Under Pressure? Press On
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 NLT)
If you never want to be criticized, then say nothing, do nothing, and be nothing.
But if you’re going to say anything, if you’re going to do anything, you can be certain you’ll be critiqued. And if you’re doing God’s work, then you will be roundly criticized.
When the Israelites were complaining about Moses, what did he do? He called on the Lord. When King Hezekiah received a threatening letter, what did he do? He brought it before the Lord. When John the Baptist was beheaded, what did his disciples do? They went and told Jesus.
And when Nehemiah was mocked for rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, he prayed about the criticism—and he persisted in reconstructing the wall. Nehemiah said, “Hear us, our God, for we are being mocked. May their scoffing fall back on their own heads, and may they themselves become captives in a foreign land! Do not ignore their guilt. Do not blot out their sins, for they have provoked you to anger here in front of the builders” (Nehemiah 4:4–5 NLT).
What should you do when you’re criticized or attacked? Take it to the Lord. The Bible says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7 NLT).
Two things you can always pass on to Jesus are criticism and praise we receive. One can deflate you, and the other can inflate you.
If you focus on your critics, you will not be doing what God has called you to do. If your eyes are on the opposition, they are not on the Lord.
When you’re under attack, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Copyright © 2018 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.
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