As a track athlete at the University of Indianapolis, many years ago, I would do the practices with the team, get ready, even hop on the bus and travel to the track meet. However, when it was time to suit up and get on the track, I would develop cold feet and offer up an excuse why I couldn’t run. I was afraid of the crowds. What if I came last? A boy named Bryce seized on this and laughed me to scorn, saying he could put me several feet ahead and still beat me in any race. Some others joined him in laughing, I was terrified. But there was yet another boy whom I would call Sage, who encouraged me. Sage said: “Uche, you can beat Bryce and any other person on this team. You are that good”. Practice with me he said, and I will make you a beast (a very good runner). His words were especially helpful because he was the 100m, 200m and 400m champion for the school. I started practicing with him and stopped practicing with the others who had mocked me. Within a month, I started winning races around the country. I lost my fear of the crowds.
You Are Mocked Because You Will Succeed
Sanballat and Tobiah did all they could to discourage Nehemiah from rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. They mocked him, and when that did not work, they threatened him. But Nehemiah was steadfast in his work, refusing their invitations and not cowering to their blackmails. He did rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and accomplished what God called him to do. Do you see a pattern here? Sanballat and Tobiah knew Nehemiah could succeed. And that’s why they mocked him. To intimidate Nehemiah. They were afraid of him. David was mocked by his brother before he faced Goliath. What if David had cowered in fear? Are you shying away from your call because you are afraid you won’t succeed, and people will laugh at you saying: “I told you so?” Here is what you should know.
You Can’t Escape Being Mocked
Intimidation is a tool used by insecure and fearful people when they meet someone who would clearly surpass them in life. The best people will always encourage you because they are self assured. Those that struggle with confidence laugh at you only because they are afraid of you and so hope to drive fear and doubt into your heart. Do you often wonder why when you tell someone your dream, or your ambition, they laugh at you? Maybe it’s family members or even your teacher or a boss at the office. People who can’t do something themselves want to tell you that you too can’t do it. Cut ties with these people, as much as you can, and as fast as you can. Refuse to be afraid. The mocking you received is proof that you are on the right path. Use it as inspiration. Keep doing what God called you to do.
And oh, by the way, I easily out ran and beat Bryce over and over again!
And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses – Nehemiah 4:14
