Overcoming Opposition And Discouragment

Even the strongest leaders will at some point face opposition. I urge you as leaders to remain steadfast. Protect the unprotected, double down in the strength of the Lord through prayer, and carry both a shovel and a spear (for building and for fighting). #DailyMight

God is in the business of working through leaders to accomplish seemingly impossible things. During my coaching career (and even in my playing days), I have been given tasks where I was to simultaneously rebuild a culture and fend off critics and opposition. At times it was an overwhelming assignment and I found myself discouraged and tired. As I dug deep, I found encouragement in the book of Nehemiah and his heart to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem after they had been destroyed by Israel’s enemies and burned to nothing but rubble.

Nehemiah wasn’t instructed to rebuild walls by authority figures at the time, he simply had it on his heart to rebuild the wall – essentially to refortify and reclaim Jerusalem. Jerusalem’s neighboring enemies didn’t like this rebuild project and made it quite clear they would attack (physically and verbally) him and his workers if necessary to prevent the rebuilding. It was well known that Nehemiah was going to face great opposition to his building project – and he moved ahead anyways.

Nehemiah himself was known as a brilliant planner, organizer, and motivator. He was a great man of character, persistence, and prayer. Nehemiah was a common man in a unique position. He was a rock star leader. Yet he and his gang of builders were faced with ridicule, intimidation, and constant physical and emotional threats. Even Nehemiah, the strongest of leaders, faced great opposition and simultaneously had to protect himself (physically and mentally) from harm while moving forward with the rebuild. How many of you have found yourself in a similar situation?

I found encouragement in my own recent rebuild (although mine was just a hockey team) through Nehemiah and his leadership through this opposition and perseverance. Lessons from his life were particularly useful when I ran into oppositions and was overwhelmed by the mission: to take otherwise common athletes and build an unbeatable team. In true form, Nehemiah the leader he was, lays out the game plan for overcoming opposition and discouragement.

Pray.

Nehemiah constantly combined prayer with preparation. His first step in any venture was to pray for it. Pray for wisdom, and success. Resources, courage, God’s hand and protection. Tell God how you feel and remember His promise to be with you. This will give you the encouragement to start and the strength to carry on. Pray for the health and well being of player and coaches, parents and support staff.

Prepare.

Planning, organizing, and communicating allow you to remain calm under opposition because you know the plan. I use a season Playbook that I follow to ensure that any situation that comes up through the season, there is a plan for it. From how to dress, to practice etiquette. From how players are to treat their teammates, to how they are to treat their teachers and refs. How we deal with discipline and mental health. It’s all there. We all know the plan.

Publicize.

Communicating the plan creates direction and comfort. The promise of open, and immediate communication help the group accomplish the assignment or task and align resources. But more importantly, it aligns the will to accomplish the task. When players and coaches know the plan, they can have comfort in their courage to complete any task even if at first it seems impossible or there are too many factors working against them.

Persevere.

Nehemiah and his teammates progressed on the rebuild project and eventually finished the task because they had set their hearts and minds to accomplishing it. They did not lose faith (or direction) or give up, and they persevered. If you have been called to a task, and are determined to complete it – even if you face opposition and discouragement – the rewards of the work well done with be worth the effort. Youth sports leadership is about making it to the finish line, and fending off opposition along the way.

I love Nehemiah (the book in the bible and the man himself) and find myself often leaning on Nehemiah 4:17 and his triumphant accomplishment of rebuilding the wall. It gives us instruction to carry both a shovel (to complete the work needed to be completed) and a sword (to defend yourself and your circle from opposition and attacks). Ridicule or failure can cut deeply, causing discouragement and despair. I urge you as leaders to remain steadfast. Pray for direction, prepare to defend, publicize your plan, and persevere often.

Give everything your everything. And then some.

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