In ministry, there are seasons when we experience opposition. This is part of the territory of leadership. When I surrendered to serve the Lord in ministry, I really hoped that this would not be a part of our story. Not. possible. When God calls us to do a work, the enemy hates what we are doing and stirs up people to oppose, to intimidate, to slander, to sabotage and to try to dishearten the servants of the Lord. In our years of ministry, there have been seasons of great cooperation and unity. In those seasons, many come to the Lord, great things are accomplished and God is glorified! To unbelievers, they look at these times and see God’s light, His presence and a group of loving and unified believers and they are drawn to Jesus. The enemy cannot stand that. So, every few years, he devises a way to stir up the believers in a church to oppose the leadership and what God is doing. They come against the leaders with a vengeance. We kind of expect that from unbelievers, but it is so disheartening when it comes from people within. I am so grateful for the lessons on leadership from Nehemiah…where we see how God led him during great times of opposition. Sanballat did everything he could to stop the work of rebuilding the wall in Jerusalem. God had set Nehemiah up to do this work, had given him favor with the king, and had blessed the work of his hands. Time after time, Sanballat came up against him and wanted to meet with him…not to encourage him, to reason with him, or to seek the truth…but to accuse him, to insult him, to intimidate and to attack him. I love what Nehemiah said.
“But they intended to do me harm. And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner.” God took care of Nehemiah and the people rebuilding the wall… and He strengthened the work of their hands.
I continue to learn that if God is calling us to do a work… whether it be to lead a ladies ministry, to serve in a class, to work with Sunday School, to lead a Bible Study, to support the ministries that God is leading the church to do… whatever it may be… When opposition comes and they are determined to stop what God is doing…Keep on serving! Keep on believing that God can work around them… They may be trying to sabotage what you are doing…but God is greater than the “Sanballats” in your life. He can do great and mighty things in spite of the opposition. Don’t let their negative and critical spirit stop you from stepping out in faith to follow God. You have to look around them and look at the great number of people who will benefit from your service. Those people will accept the gift that you can give them. Don’t let anyone stop you from following God’s leading and believe that God will vindicate and strengthen you.
“Dear Lord, We know that the time is short before You return…We know that the enemy is furious. We ask that You strengthen the work of our hands and keep us safe. Help us not to be so intimidated that we “come down from the wall” that You have called us to. May we listen to Your voice, to Your promises, and to those who will encourage us to stay on course. May we encourage one another to stay working on the walls of service to You. Lord, this is Your work… Give us the vision for those who are on the other side of the opposition… that you will give us fruit if we don’t give up!”

Cindy Lyons: Founder of Friends In Ministry Women’s Ministry & Senior Pastor’s Wife at High Street Baptist Church