GREAT DISTRACTERS : EVERY LEADER HAS TO DEAL WITH DISTRACTERS

GREAT DISTRACTERS: EVERY LEADER HAS TO DEAL WITH DISTRACTERS

By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination. – Christopher Columbus

One of the great tests of leadership is how you handle opposition and distracters. According to John Maxwell (Leadership Bible); Nehemiah had to contend with the same kind of pest that plagues most true leaders today; distracters who torment and do everything possible to interfere with the work of the kingdom. Sanballat played the role of a distracter in the life of Nehemiah.

Nehemiah 4:1-2

New International Version (NIV)

Opposition to the Rebuilding

4 ^[a]When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, ² and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble —burned as they are?

Great leaders face oppositions in several ways:

a). They face ridicule from those opposing them (Nehemiah 4:1-3)

b). Distracters always resist the authority of true leaders (Nehemiah 4: 7-8)

c). Distracters spread false rumors about true leaders in order to stop the ongoing work (Nehemiah 4:11-12).

In order to overcome distractions and distracters, the following measures need to be taken;

1. In all your endeavors, rely on God (Nehemiah 4:4-5)
2. Respect your opposition (Nehemiah 4:9)
3. Reinforce your weak points (Nehemiah 4:13)
4. Reassure your team members (Nehemiah 4: 14)
5. Refuse to quit on your mission no matter the opposition ( Nehemiah 4:15)
6. Renew the people’s strength continually (Nehemiah 4: 16-23)
7. Stay committed to your ultimate calling in life

There are valuable lessons we can learn as leaders from studying Sanballat’s assault, threats and schemes on Nehemiah and the Jews. These lessons include:

*Expect distracters in your journey to fulfill destiny.

*Don’t give your distracters the time of day.

*Trust God to protect you and your reputation

*Keep your hands on the plow and don’t look back