Nehemiah, in the 5th century B.C., decided something needed to be done, so he got to working on it. While working – as often happens to us when we’re focused on doing something good – he was visited by a bunch of naysayers. These doubters wanted to have a “meeting.” Nehemiah sent a message that he was busy working. Four times, he had to send the same message.
On their 5th attempt, the doubters sent a letter outlining their concerns about the project. Nehemiah replied with a short note:
“No such things as you say are being done, but you invent them in your own heart.“
Nehemiah knew they were just trying to make him afraid, and he knew that
fear stops work.
Nehemiah turned back to what needed to be done with this prayer:
“Now, therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.”
(the rest of the story is found in the book of Nehemiah – it’s a great book; I recommend reading it from beginning to end)
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