Don't be intimidated

Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone agreed with everything you did, fully supported your efforts, cheered you on and never complained or gave you grief about your decisions?

Sound idyllic? It probably is…in this world…

To survive and thrive we have to defend ourselves successfully from those who would oppose our efforts to progress.

I love the story in the Bible of Nehemiah building the wall for it illustrates the necessity of defending oneself from aggressors who would stop our advancement.

Jerusalem had been devastated by enemies. The walls were torn down, and there was no protection from pillage and attack.

Nehemiah is inspired to build the city’s wall to protect his people. It’s a noble cause. But there is tremendous opposition to his efforts. (Nehemiah chapters 2,4,6).

Enemies of Nehemiah’s people want to see Jerusalem weak and vulnerable so that they can continue abusing and enslaving them. Outsiders, notably, Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, deceitfully maneuver to stop Nehemiah. But Nehemiah discerns their wicked intent and wisely avoids their traps. He rallies his workers, arms them with swords, and perseveres night and day until the project is completed. The enemies’ plan to stop his endeavor fails. The wall is built, and the city is protected once again.

Have you ever faced vehement opposition to a new idea you proposed?

If not, you probably haven’t put forth any new ideas… :)

We learn from experience that anyone who takes a step out of mainstream thought and advocates a step of improvement is likely to face naysayers, critics, opposers and resistors. Mortal mind wants to preserve its status quo, even when it’s evil. The Sanballats, Tobiahs and Geshems Nehemiah faced, we all have to face with equal courage and confidence if we want to succeed.

This is especially true in our efforts to seek spiritual healing.

Mainstream belief is a convicted advocate of medical ways and means. Heavy use of prescription drugs, frequent visits to the doctor’s office, and automatic acceptance of disease as a reality that requires a material remedy, are accepted as the norm by many.

When a spiritual thinker stands up and says, “I want to rely upon God for healing,” popular thought whams down hard on the choice and wants to discourage it from succeeding. But like Nehemiah, when we understand the powerlessness of fear and ignorance to thwart a God-supported idea, we will not be intimidated. We will stand against the foe and succeed despite efforts to stop us.

A senior was taking prescription drugs for an ailment diagnosed by a doctor. The drugs were producing miserable side effects, and he wanted to stop taking them. He was afraid to tell the doctor his choice, though, for fear of being reprimanded.

While praying for a solution, he decided to think for himself about his healthcare choices. He respected the doctor’s opinion, but realized his final course of action was between himself and God. He needed to follow his conscience and not be swayed by intimidation or fear.

He honestly believed God could meet his need better than the drugs which were producing negative side effects. God was a reliable source of health and well being. He didn’t need to suffer to be healed, he concluded.

In deciding how to tell the doctor his choice, he realized the physician was a child of God just like he was. They had the one Mind in common, and therefore could come to a mutually agreeable solution about the direction he was going to take.

His fear left. He did not feel intimidated by the doctor’s professional status any longer.

At his next appointment, he told the doctor he was going to stop taking the medicines and rely upon spiritual healing to settle the issue. To the man’s surprise, the doctor agreed with the choice, and said it probably was the best course of action at the time. The patient followed through, the misery vanished, and he is doing well today.

We can learn from this experience.

Don’t be intimidated!

When you know what’s right, stick to your plan.

Like Nehemiah, we will have our detractors,--internal fears most often,--trying to discourage us. But every right idea has the power of God backing it up and guaranteeing its success. The Sanballats, Tobiahs and Geshems you face will be disempowered and neutralized. And your “wall” will be built.

Happy building!