Editor’s note: In April, the chaplains invite and encourage the Loma Linda University Health community to pray and fast together each Tuesday, asking for God’s guidance and wisdom as we continue to build and grow.
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After receiving permission from the king to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, Nehemiah recruited a host of his countrymen and set out to restore their city. Work on the wall was begun, with multiple work crews concentrating on various sections. The work progressed quickly and, soon, half of the wall was completed.
Three of the regional governors, however, were angry with the plan and repeatedly opposed Nehemiah. In their anger, they ridiculed and criticized the Jewish workers, insulting them publicly on numerous occasions and threatening to kill them.
Opposition is terribly deflating! When we create a plan that we believe will make a positive difference, only to have someone work against it, we feel discouraged and often angry. If our motives are pure, it seems unconscionable that someone else would work to destroy what we intend for good.
Under these circumstances, it’s easy to get defensive and become angry ourselves. We want to justify our plan and let others know that we are being mistreated. We want to highlight our record and convince others to think well of us.
However, that is not the example we have from Nehemiah. He simply kept working. He did not allow criticism to delay the work, but readjusted the plan to allow for men to stand guard and protect the workers. Each person continued with the work he or she was assigned to do.
It isn’t a bad lesson for us, both corporately and individually. When we receive criticism, if we can stand in good conscience before God, believing we are following His plan for our life — and for our institution — we can continue on course. Sometimes the best thing we can do is to keep on doing the job we’ve been given to do.
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by Him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
Kathy McMillan, MA
Director
Employee spiritual care
Loma Linda University Medical Center