Nehemiah 4:1 – Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews.
Some years ago, I was driving with a well-known Christian pastor whose life has been one of incredible highs and lows. He has seen God show up and do the most supernatural and incredible things, as well as seen Satan show up and do the most demonic and despicable things.
Having endured far more public attack and critique than I ever will, he piqued my curiosity by asking me if I would like to know the secret to never being publicly maligned again. He then told me that the key to never being attacked, critiqued, or opposed was to 1. say nothing, 2. do nothing, and 3. have nothing.
His words were both sobering and clarifying. If you want to stand for something, own something, or do something, you have to pay something. The more you hope to have, the more you have to give.
In ministry, this is even more true. If you’re living for God, preaching the Word of God, and helping lead others towards a relationship with God, God will be for you, but Satan will be against you. We call this spiritual warfare – there are battles happening in the unseen realm between good and evil that affects what happens here on earth.
All ministries who are doing the work of God will have enemies and if you’re in ministry leadership and feeling that pressure, keep going. God is pleased with you and, even if you’re feeling beat down now, you’ll be rewarded when He finally returns.
Have you ever been maligned or maligned someone publicly on social media? Ask that person and God for forgiveness if you’re the one that did this and, if you’ve been maligned, pray for God to continue giving you strength to carry out the plan He has for you.