Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho
In the first place discouragement appears to be casual and harmless-everyone goes through it. That is a very good reason not to be so alarmed when we are discouraged. But on the other hand, discouragement often leads to resentment, crippling us to become immobile and render us helpless, impotent and embittered.
Dealing with discouragement can have a positive impact in life. It can help us to become a stronger-better person. Because it is God’s will and purpose that every Christians live life to the fullest. Knowing who we are in Christ and knowing God’s purpose in our life is the key to living life to the fullest.
Nehemiah was a simple-sincere yet, negligible man of his day. He held no important portfolio prior to his call to become a city-builder. He was a mere cupbearer in the king’s court in Persia. If not for his sincerity and honesty he possessed neither professional qualification nor leadership charisma. What distinguished him from others is his love for God and his people. His qualities are admirable if seen in the light of the circumstances he faced. With the amount and magnitude of success, Nehemiah also faced an equal portion of discouragements. He was mentally tortured, physically drained and psychologically tormented and abused. His leadership was challenged and put to question; he was despised and his work was ignored; he was ridiculed and his integrity doubted; he was insulted and mocked at and his effort was belittled.
However, in the face of all these he came out victorious. He knew what he was doing is from God and the discouraging words were from man. This knowledge to differentiate between what is from God and what is from man is what made him a great and successful leader. Discouragements in life are here to stay but how we handle them and overcome them is what counts.
Nehemiah chapter 4 gives us some guiding principles in dealing with discouragement.
Principle no. 1: Be purpose driven in life (v. 6).
Often discouragement comes when we are not able to give our best in what we do. The phrase “with all their heart” in verse 6 speaks of the attitude and aptitude of the workers building the wall of Jerusalem. “With all their heart” is possible when what we do is purpose driven. Purpose driven life is being sure of who you are and what you do.
Principle no. 2: Talk to God first (v. 9).
When Nehemiah heard about the condition of his people as recorded in chapter one, he did not go around the neighborhood to share his sorrow and the condition of his people seeking the sympathy of others but he took it to God in prayer. Often in our discouragement in life, before talking to God we begin to talk to people. When his opponents conspired against him, Nehemiah did not play the number game by trying to convince his opponents through the popular vote. What Nehemiah did was to gather those working with him and pray to God.
Principle no. 3: Guard yourself (vv. 9 & 13).
After prayer (v. 9) Nehemiah posted guard day and night to meet the thread and verse 13 says, “I stationed some of the people behind the lowest point.” Discouragements often attack the lowest point in life. Nehemiah identified the lowest point of his work and posted guard for protection. Likewise, we need to identify the lowest and vulnerable areas in life and guard them.
Principle no. 4: Think positive (v. 14).
When faced with discouragement we dwell on the negative past whereby the present and future are tainted with doubts and uncertainties. What people think of us and how we could have been become the focus rather than what God has done and can do. We all have a testimony to dwell on. A Christian life without a testimony is a life without experiencing God’s love. Nehemiah could have dwelled on the terrible condition of his people and question how God was so unjust to the nation. But instead of doing that he began to list all what God has done and proclaim the faithfulness of God to encourage those who were discouraged in the course of the work. Do not dwell on what could have been but dwell on what God has done in your life.
Principle no. 5: Depend on God (v. 19, 20).
In times of discouragement it is easy to wean and be fed by whatever is been said by people around us. It is easy to seek shelter in the comforting words of man but it is worth remembering that it is your faith and your determination that will get you out of the situation. Nehemiah could have surrounded himself with more fortified warrior to defend himself and the people but instead of doing that he depended on God to get him out of the circumstances. He said, “God will fight for us.” Words of man at times can become walls of obstruction in our fights from discouragement.
Are you facing discouraging situation in your life? Maybe, you are facing one for the first time. Some perhaps, are facing piles of discouragements and do not know how to get out of it. May I encourage you to try Nehemiah’s principles of dealing with discouragement? First, be purpose driven in life and in what you do. An inch of doubt will enable you to sink further. Second, talk to God, he not only listens but also have the perfect solution for you. Third, guard yourself from further discouragement. Guard your lowest points/areas in life. Do not expose them the enemy will seize them. Fourth, think positive, do not dwell on the negative past it will block your positive future. Fifth, depend on God he will help you and give you the victory.
(The writer is the Academic Dean of Oriental Theological Seminary, Bade, Dimapur)
