When Building A Life For GodSample

Expect Distractions

We all know what distractions are—things in life that aren’t necessarily bad or sinful but they keep us from accomplishing a task that is more important. Here’s a promise I can make: when you decide to accomplish something for God, you will certainly run into distractions along the way.

At the beginning of our study, we saw that Nehemiah received the help of God and others to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. He then overcame the ridicule that came his way. Shortly after, distractions began to creep in. 

First, in verses 1-4 of today’s reading we find that a distraction came in the form of some men just wanting him to stop his work to meet with them. Sounds innocent enough, right? Have you ever gotten a text message while reading your Bible? A random thought in the middle of prayer? Or simply anything that distracted you from something that you knew was more important? When this first distraction came Nehemiah’s way, he faced it with determination and a refusal to stop the work God had placed on his heart.

Then a second distraction in verses 17-19 came in the form of intimidation and fear. This is a big one in so many of our lives! How many times have we allowed these things to keep us from even trying to accomplish something for God? The lists of fears that distract us are many: the fear of failure, the fear of rejection, the fear of being misunderstood, and the list goes on and on. The crazy thing for Nehemiah was that this distraction of fear came after the wall was built and the task for God was accomplished. Fear was a thief. It tried to steal away the joy and satisfaction he felt AFTER finishing what God had purposed him to do! 

The hardest part about distractions is that they come in many shapes and forms based upon the heart of the individual. Here’s what I mean: our adversary, Satan himself, knows you and what will distract you. He sees your personality, your family heritage, your heart, and what makes you prone to wander away from where God wants you to be. He knows what will distract you from that task that is more important: the task of building a life for God. 

EXPECT distractions because building a life for God is something even Satan knows is worth doing!

PRAYER POINT FOR THE DAY: Ask God to help you respond to distractions that may come your way with wisdom and a focus on that which is most important.