For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands. – Nehemiah 6:9
One of the reasons you need to guard your heart (Proverbs 4:23) is so that you can protect your hands.
Your hands represent the strength you use to do the good works that God created you to do.
But if you can be made to be afraid, fearful, anxious, terrified, second guess yourself, feel condemned, ruminate over your shortcomings, be in awe of those who would intimidate you…then your hands will find themselves slack and limp.
You’ll punch, but without power.
You’ll write, but with slightly less enthusiasm.
You’ll build, but without focus or fortitude…and eventually abandon the project.
Simply because of allowing fear into your heart.
Don’t.
Don’t let it in.
Rebuild the wall around your heart before you rebuild the wall around the city.
Do not be afraid.
Don’t let the feelings of fear gain entry into your heart.
It doesn’t matter what reasons they present for why they are supposed to be allowed inside…
We represent the trauma you survived, the rape, the divorce, the betrayal…we’re simply here to help you guard against those things happening again…
Don’t let them in.
And if they have gained entry, drive them out with extreme prejudice.
The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe (Proverbs 29:25).
Do not allow your heart to be troubled.
Fear is not your ally, it’s a snare…a death trap masquerading as a tree of life.
Drive out the fear, trust in the Lord, strengthen your hands…and keep building the wall.