Naked And UnafraidSample

Day 5: Don’t Come Down 

One of the best stories in the Bible about handling critics is from the book of Nehemiah. He responds directly to his critics by saying, “I’m doing a great work; I can’t come down. Why should the work come to a standstill just so I can come down to see you?” (Nehemiah. 6:2–3 MSG). 

This verse is Nehemiah’s response to his critics, who kept returning to get him down from a wall he was building. This is everything we need to remember when facing our critics. They came back repeatedly, and he repeatedly reminded them of why he was up there. 

His confidence was unwavering! The last time, they even changed their tactics to intimidation, but Nehemiah couldn’t be shaken.

Some critics are sent to distract you, intimidate you, shake you, and take your attention away from what truly deserves it.

When you’re doing great work, don’t come down from the “wall” you’ve been called to.

When complainers call, don’t come down.

When critics talk, don’t come down.

When lies get told, don’t come down.

When haters hate, don’t come down.

Nehemiah wasn’t reliant on approval for the work he was doing—he was completing what God called him to do. He knew what he was doing was great, and their mockery and insistence on his inadequacy had fallen upon deaf ears. If you’ve experienced criticism before, you know the pressure to respond can be unbearable. But, you don’t need to defend yourself every time. Next time, remember Nehemiah and consider whether your best decision is to put your blinders on and your noise-canceling earplugs in and don’t come down.

Whatever you’re called to do — raising a family, leading a ministry, helping in your child’s classroom, providing clean water to a remote village, building a business, writing songs — don’t let the voices of distraction pull you from your assignment. When frustration builds, remind yourself: “I’m doing great work. I can’t come down.”

Do you need to refocus on what you feel called to do? What distractions can you remove from your life to help you refocus?