Sierra Vista Community Church
Turning Your Setbacks into Comebacks
Part 7
Nehemiah 4:6-14 ESV
Four Dispiriting Setbacks:
1. They last longer than you expect.
It makes you fatigued.
“The strength of the laborer fails …” (Nehemiah 4:10a)
2. They are more complicated than you expect.
It makes you frustrated.
“... since there is so much rubble.” (Nehemiah 4:10b)
3. They require more than you know.
It makes you feel like a failure.
“We will never be able to rebuild the wall.” (Nehemiah 4:10c)
4. They usually grow stronger with time.
It makes you fearful.
“And our enemies said, “They won’t know or see anything until we’re among them and can kill them and stop the work. When the Jews who lived nearby arrived, they said to us time and again, “everywhere you turn, they attack us.” (Nehemiah 4:11-12)
What Should You Do When You Feel Like Quitting?
Lessons Learned From Nehemiah:
• Rearrange what is not working.
“So I stationed people behind the lowest sections of the wall, at the vulnerable areas. I stationed them by families with their swords, spears, and bows.” (Nehemiah 4:13)
• Remember who the Lord is!
“After I made an inspection, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the great and awe-inspiring Lord …” (Nehemiah 4:14a)
• Resist discouragement.
“... and fight for your countrymen, your sons and daughters, your wives and homes.” (Nehemiah 4:14b)