Imagine the weight on his shoulders. Standing in the rubble of destruction, Nehemiah felt

compelled to rebuild the wall around his beloved city of Jerusalem. It was a massive project

that few builders would attempt, except for Nehemiah. Today, on Insight for Living,

Chuck Swindall continues our practical study of this champion of our faith. It's a series

we're calling Hand Me Another Brick. Maybe you're faced with an overwhelming project

right now. In this study, we'll be reminded that maintaining a positive outlook is vital

to a successful outcome. Chuck begins in Nehemiah chapter 4.

The further we travel through the pages of Nehemiah, the more we discover the value and relevance

of its instruction for every level of leadership. Today, as we turn to Nehemiah chapter 4, verses

9 through 23, we find Nehemiah's work crew discouraged for the first time since the project

of rebuilding the walls around Jerusalem had begun. Though they were at one time enthusiastic

and energetic, very motivated, Nehemiah's workers now grew weary and became discouraged.

They lost their strength, their vision, confidence, and even their security. But Nehemiah, overcoming

his own discouragement, took up the task of curing their melancholy mood through a variety

of God-directed means, and it's that which interests us in our study today. From this passage,

we're going to learn that during times of discouragement, it's important for us to do

several things. First, to refocus our attention on the Lord and on the Goal. Second, to maintain a

healthy balance. Third, to return to a rallying point. And fourth and finally, to re-energize our

spirits through ministry to others. So with all four of those in mind, let's read Nehemiah's

story from chapter 4, beginning at verse 9. But we pray to our God, and because of them, we set up a

guard against them day and night. Thus, in Judah, it was said, the strength of the burden bearers

is failing. Yet there is much rubbish, and we ourselves are unable to rebuild the wall.

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