When Opposition Increases by Lisa Burkhardt, D.Min.
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you (1 Peter 4:12).
One week from today, we will hold our 20th conference as a ministry. I thought I was done after 19, but the LORD spoke Austin into my heart on a prayer walk last year. We had planned to hold a Level-Up Women’s Conference in Austin in 2020, but the global pandemic squelched the plan.
Every event is always the same. As much as I try to push back stress, there are many details to remember. In addition, there is opposition. I don’t always recognize it at first, but then I think, Oh yes, we are about to put on a conference.
When Nehemiah was overseeing the building of a wall around Jerusalem, his opponents tried to take him out because they did not want Jerusalem protected by a wall. Nehemiah’s enemies invited him to a meeting where they planned to kill him. What did Nehemiah say? “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?” (Nehemiah 6:3).
Nehemiah had a job to do for God, and he would not rest until it was completed. He recognized opposition and did not let it take him away from his calling.
How does opposition look?
- It can be an unrelated verbal attack from another person, as I have experienced.
- There can be sickness, which one of our team members has encountered.
- Our numbers are lower than past conferences, so some have said, “Is it worth it?” It is always worth it for one soul, and we have many more than that attending.
- One team member had to drop out because of a family obligation.
- Other responsibilities can pull us away from both the spiritual and physical preparation for an event. It’s important to pray and remain in God’s presence as much as possible, and get enough rest.
- The details of the event and financial concerns can be overwhelming!
We have prayed weekly for our conference and are doing so for forty days. There is nothing more critical than covering the event with prayer and rebuking the enemy’s attacks. Because the Holy Spirit spoke “Austin” into my heart, I believe something powerful will happen at this year’s Level Up conference. No opposition will stop this undertaking, because we are doing a good work and we will complete what God has called us to accomplish for Him.
What opposition are you facing right now?
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It’s not to late to sign up for the Level-Up Women’s Conference in Austin. We want you to attend on April 25th from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Wells Branch Community Church. Register today at: https://levelupconferenceaustin.eventbrite.com.