6 So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. 7 But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. 8 And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. 9 And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night. Nehemiah 4:6-8

Nehemiah set out and completed a task. He began to close the breaches and build the wall. The people working with him had a determined mindset that allowed for progress, but very few endeavors like this go without distraction. Nehemiah and the builders faced off against a group of angry individuals, determined to undermine their plan. His response to this distraction should be noted and copied by all men.

Nehemiah's first response to this distraction was prayer. Recognizing God's role in a man's work must come first, and this leader demonstrated his dependence on God. The next move he made was preventative. The work was important and worth protecting, so he guarded it. He did not overreact or let this distraction pull him from the task at hand. Men must guard against distraction while working on their God-given responsibilities. Don't let distractions confuse you. Become a man like Nehemiah who depends on God, takes appropriate action, and moves forward.

DO THIS TODAY: Focus on the most important task by praying and avoiding distractions.