Nehemiah – The art of not getting distracted

When you’re trying to get something done and you keep getting distracted and taken away from your work, it’s maddening!  There’s a huge temptation to just blow up or blow someone else up!

Nehemiah set such a great leadership example for today’s leaders.  He was focused on something that was much bigger than himself and his own ambitions:  rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.

He had an iron will and determination to keep going in the midst of:

1. Other workers losing hope and strength (Neh. 4:10)
2. His own people being mistreated by his peers (Neh. 5:1)
3. Threats of attack and death by outsiders (Neh. 6:1)
4. Accusations and defamation by insiders and outsiders (Neh. 6:10)

He was getting distracted from every angle.  And yet, in spite of all that, the walls that had been sitting in ruins for about 150 years, he was able to rebuild in just 52 days!

He never let his temper get the best of him.  If you’re a leader and you feel that you need to blow your stack every once in a while to make a point to those around you, you’re not being a very good leader.

In the middle of all of this, Nehemiah has the best prayer.  I love this:

 “But now, O God, strengthen my hands.”  Nehemiah 6:9

Stay controlled and focused.  By doing this, you will set the pace for how those around you will react to issues they are dealing with and create a healthy culture that people will want to be a part of.