SOMETIMES, you compare your life to someone else's, and you are disappointed. You look at the past year and feel discouraged.
You must understand that disappointment is inevitable, and discouragement is a choice.
People choose to give up, they decide to turn their backs, but you can choose to be different.
You can choose to look away from your past failures and move forward.
When Potiphar's wife offered Joseph a short cut, he took the long road—the highway of holiness. (Genesis 39:6-10; Isaiah 35:8)
He looked away from his disappointments and chose the difficult path.
He rose to build.
The Narrative
NEHEMIAH was the personal cupbearer to King Artaxerxes. He remained in Persia when many exiles went home.
When Hanani returned from Judah, Nehemiah asked him about the state of Jerusalem and the Jews who had survived the captivity.
Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire. (Nehemiah 1:1-3)
Discouragement should be short-lived
NEHEMIAH was disappointed and discouraged but not defeated.
He mourned the situation and spent time before God to find out how to proceed—he prayed that God would grant him favour before the king.
And when he appeared in the palace, the king asked why his face looked so sad?
May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire? (Nehemiah 2:3)
"What is it you want?" asked the king.
I will like to return and rebuild.
The hand of the Lord was upon him, and the king granted him all his requests.
When you put the Kingdom of God first, he will add every other thing to you. (Matthew 6:33)
If there's something you must do in this new year, it's to put him first—and as you do, God will put you first.
Expect Criticism
EVERY WALK OF FAITH will have opposition. And everything going well deserves prayers.
When Sanballat and Tobiah heard all, they were upset that someone had returned to promote the Israelites' welfare. (Nehemiah 2:1-10)
Investigate and Initiate
THREE DAYS after his return, he chose a few men. And with them, he inspected the wall. But he told no one what God had put in his heart.
The gates were burned with fire. The people were exposed to the enemy.
The people of God had fallen into a deep rut of discouragement. They needed someone to give them a lift, and Nehemiah handed them one.
He said to them, "Let's rise and build." (Nehemiah 2:18)
Do you feel like a failure? Are you discouraged?
Do not quit.
God does not have mood swings; neither does he change. He will turn your life into a success story, but you must be willing to work with Him.
Share your testimony
NEHEMIAH knew the grace of God.
He shared his testimony and offered them something to believe in. (Nehemiah 2:18)
Nothing brings a man alive like the words of encouragement spoken to him who has lost hope. And this is what God wants you to do wherever you go.
BRINGING IT TOGETHER
NEHEMIAH knew how to handle disappointments. He was surrounded by hopelessness, but he wasn't deterred by it.
If you know who you are as a believer, you'll learn how to suffer disappointments and discouragements and ensure that they are momentary.
It's time to rise and build.
Happy New Year!