Distractions

When you are in a season of growth in ministry, it won't be long until you start experiencing tons of distractions. Distractions come in many shapes and sizes.

Here's just a few:

• Internal Conflict - Negative people inside your church who criticize and don't line up with your vision
• External Opportunities - Invitations from ministries outside your local church who want you to come and speak or be involved in a ministry opportunity that might be good but it's not the best use of your time. Or there is the invitation to the all-expense paid "vision trip" so your church will give their ministry money
• Personal Temptations - when things start going well - the devil will throw every temptation in your face to make your fail.
• Missional Opposition - Roadblocks designed by the enemy to intentionally thwart the progress of your ministry.
  

What's the solution? When Nehemiah faced similar distractions while rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem, he said, "I am doing a good work and I will not come down off this wall." Remind yourself what God has called you to do and focus your energy and attention on that work. Don't look to the left or to the right. Be like Jesus, who, in the midst of distractions and people who tried to get him off course, set his face like a flint towards Jerusalem."

Stay focused and ask God to strengthen your hands and then put your hand to the plow and don't look back.