During our life we will have many moments of joy and celebration, but we will also have concerns and these can mark our future depending on the attitude we take towards them.
In the book of Nehemiah we find his story and today we will study four characteristics that he took in the face of worry, which are a guide for us on how to face those difficult moments.
When Nehemiah asked how the Jewish people were doing, he received the following response: “They said to me, «Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire. »” (Nehemiah 1:3 NLT)
Upon hearing this, Nehemiah reacted in this way: “When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. “ (Nehemiah 1:4 NLT)
The first two reactions, sitting down to cry and grieving, can be the first feelings we have when faced with a difficult time, and it is totally acceptable because we were created with feelings to be expressed, but it is important to remember that it is our decision how long this process will last.
Then, he fasted and prayed before the God of heaven: Nehemiah’s reaction was beyond immediate emotion. Many times a concern will come upon us as a discharge, but at the same time we can surrender our burdens and worries to God, knowing that He is in control of our lives and that His plans are better than ours.
We can bring offerings and sacrifices before God as a sign of humility, recognizing that without God we can achieve nothing. And with a sincere heart, we present ourselves before Him to be in His presence, a special moment where we can reconnect our lives and hearts with Heavenly Father.
My favorite part is God from heaven: Just as Nehemiah was very clear to whom he fasted and prayed, my wish is that we all have clear who our God is, the only one who can really meet our needs and knows each one by name. Our God is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, who fights our battles and with Him at the fore we will see victory.
“For the Lord your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and he will give you victory!” (Deuteronomy 20:4 NLT)
