Vision180's

Discouragement: 1

‘I looked things over.’ Nehemiah 4:14 NIV

First, find a better way. While rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls, Nehemiah said, ‘I looked things over.’ Realising there were enemies to be defeated and obstacles to be overcome, he ‘stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows.’ (Nehemiah 4:13^NIV)

In order to overcome discouragement, Nehemiah realised they’d have to start doing things differently. They needed a new system. So he organised the people according to their gifts and strengths. Insanity has been defined as doing the same thing over and over again and hoping for different results. And there’s wisdom in that statement. When you get discouraged, don’t give up on your goals. Instead, devise a new approach!

Question: was it wrong for the Jews to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem? No, they were just going about it in the wrong way!

There’s a lesson here for us all. For example, do you have a problem at school? Don’t give up; try a new attitude. Do you have a problem in your job? Don’t throw in the towel; look for a new approach and refocus on your goal.

Have you ever heard of the 80/20 principle? That’s where 80% of your time is spent on the 20% of activities that aren’t productive and, as a result, you get frustrated. What you need to do is devote 80% of your time to the 20% that produces the highest results. Business managers call this ROI time—‘return on investment’. So practise devoting the majority of your time and energy to the things you know bring results.

SoulFood: Num 34–36, Mark 8:14–26, Ps 57, Pr 11:14