What to Do While Being Attacked: Lessons from Nehemiah¹

In the high-stakes work of policy reform—particularly when advancing federal exemptions and compliance with evolving federal cannabis law—opposition is not just likely; it is guaranteed. Those who helped draft restrictive state laws often frame federal exemptions (and related religious or patient protections) as a “conspiracy of Big Pharma to take over the industry,” weaponizing fear and misinformation to maintain control and silence accountability efforts.² This mirrors the coordinated attacks faced by Nehemiah as he rebuilt Jerusalem’s walls.

The biblical account in Nehemiah 4 provides a timeless blueprint for persevering: build with one hand while holding a weapon in the other.

The Context of the Attack

Nehemiah returned from exile to lead the restoration of Jerusalem’s walls. His enemies—Sanballat, Tobiah, and others—responded with ridicule, conspiracy plots, threats of violence, and internal discouragement (Nehemiah 4:1-3).³ The workers faced real danger, yet the wall was completed in an astonishing 52 days because the people refused to stop.

Today, cannabis policy advocates, patients, and religious liberty proponents encounter parallel tactics: public mockery of reform efforts, legal maneuvers like vexatious filings, character attacks, and narratives designed to divide the movement. When pushing for federal Schedule III compliance, religious exemptions under RFRA, or state alignment with federal changes, entrenched interests lash out by portraying these advancements as corporate capture rather than patient-centered progress rooted in law and evidence.⁴

Key Lessons from Nehemiah for Building Under Fire

1. Expect Opposition and Recognize It for What It Is

Significant restorative work always provokes resistance. Nehemiah’s enemies mocked the effort as feeble and futile: “What are those feeble Jews doing? … Will they finish in a day?” (Nehemiah 4:2-3).⁵ Do not be surprised by attacks—treat them as confirmation that the work matters. In policy spaces, ridicule and conspiracy claims are tools to distract from substantive issues like statutory insulation, vertical federalism, and patient access.

2. Respond First with Prayer and Commit the Battle to God

Nehemiah’s immediate reaction was honest prayer: “Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads…” (Nehemiah 4:4-5).⁶ Prayer realigns priorities away from human conflict toward divine justice. For those navigating probation conditions, court hearings, or public opposition while advancing religious cannabis use, this step grounds strategy in faith…rather than reactive anger.

3. Build and Defend Simultaneously

The central teaching: “Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked” (Nehemiah 4:17-18).⁷ They did not halt construction to fight. They organized guards, stationed armed workers by families, and maintained a signal system (the trumpet) for rapid response (Nehemiah 4:13-20).⁸

In practice, this means continuing policy analysis, testimony, petitions, and publishing—even while defending against TPOs, warrants, or smear campaigns. Advance federal exemption arguments and documentation of sincere religious practice while staying vigilant on legal fronts.

4. Stay Focused on the Greater Work

When invited down to argue with critics, Nehemiah replied: “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).⁹ Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your mission, and future generations (Nehemiah 4:14).¹⁰ Do not let opposition pull you off the wall.

5. Foster Unity, Vigilance, and Momentum

Half the men worked while the other half stood guard, rotating as needed. They labored from dawn until stars appeared, weapons ready (Nehemiah 4:16-23).¹¹ When enemies saw the people were “armed and ready” and that God had frustrated their plans, opposition lost steam. The workers “had a mind to work” (Nehemiah 4:6).¹²

Modern application: Build coalitions around verifiable records, public accountability, and shared goals while maintaining personal and operational security. Track analytics, time strategic drops, and protect the work (family, home, publishing platform) without ceasing progress.

6. Trust God for Success Through Faithful Effort

Nehemiah declared, “The God of heaven will give us success” (Nehemiah 2:20).¹³ Victory came not through passivity but through prayer-fueled, armed, persistent labor. The wall stood despite every attack.

Applying Nehemiah Today

Whether facing personal threats, legal opposition, or industry attacks that mischaracterize federal compliance as Big Pharma takeover, the response remains the same: Pray. Stay legally armored (spiritually, legally, and practically). Keep building. Document everything, advance the record through petitions and testimony, publish with receipts, and refuse to abandon the greater project of reform that honors patients, religious liberty, and the rule of law.

The reconstruction of Jerusalem’s walls succeeded because the people combined faith with action. The same combination can finish the work before us—despite those who attack federal exemptions and patient protections to preserve outdated federally non-cooperative state systems.

Scripture quotations are from the New International Version unless otherwise noted. This reflection draws from Nehemiah chapters 2–6 and is offered as encouragement for advocates laboring under pressure.

Footnotes

¹ Nehemiah 4 (NIV).

² See, e.g., common narratives in state cannabis regulatory debates opposing federal rescheduling alignment and religious exemptions.

³ Nehemiah 4:1-3.

⁴ For discussion of federal-state tensions post-rescheduling, see Weed Press Policy Series archives.

⁵ Nehemiah 4:2-3.

⁶ Nehemiah 4:4-5.

⁷ Nehemiah 4:17-18.

⁸ Nehemiah 4:13-20.

⁹ Nehemiah 6:3.

¹⁰ Nehemiah 4:14.

¹¹ Nehemiah 4:16-23.

¹² Nehemiah 4:6.

¹³ Nehemiah 2:20.