Photo credit: Pinterest

Now, when the wall had been rebuilt and I had set up the doors, and the gatekeepers, singers, and Levites had been appointed, I put my brother Hanani, with Hananiah the commander of the fortress, in charge of Jerusalem, for Hananiah was a more faithful and God-fearing man than many [of the others]. I said to them, “Do not let the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot; and while the watchmen are still standing guard, have them shut and bar the doors. Appoint guards from the residents of Jerusalem, each at his post [on the wall], and each in front of his own house.” Now the city was spacious and large, but there were few people in it and the houses had not [yet] been built. (Emphasis mine) – Nehemiah 7:1-4

In this account, we glean that Nehemiah had the good sense of getting the wall around the city
built before allowing people to focus on building their individual homes. As you look through
scripture, you will find several expressions of this principle: that well-built city walls are in
reality the only way to justify the effort of building any homes within the city.

The Purpose of ‘City Walls’
City walls—whether literal or metaphorical—are structures of resilience. They safeguard
against intrusions so that building can continue unhindered. In prayer, marriage, work, or business, you will repeatedly find that building resilience is key to long term achievement. A beautiful home inside a broken-down city is not only vulnerable; it is short-lived. So also is any life that has not first established protective, stabilizing systems.

In prayer, marriage, work, or business, you will repeatedly find that building resilience is key to long term achievement.

Wisdom for Work and Wealth
The writer of proverbs says for instance, Develop your business first before building your
house. (Proverbs 24:27, TLB). Essentially, focus on building a business that is strong enough to
generate income to fund your personal expenses. In other words, build a wall – build resilience
against the unavoidable demands that your needs, and wants will place on your income.

Stamina: The Greater Strength
Building resilience is even more critical when it comes to the matter of your spiritual disciplines.
You see, in all endeavours, and especially, in spiritual matters, stamina is more desirable than
strength or speed. To finish the race well is more important than spectacular displays that
merely earn the applause of the gallery. Stamina is more desirable than strength or speed.

In all endeavours, and especially, in spiritual matters, stamina is more desirable than strength or speed.

Fasting: A Pathway to Spiritual Strength
One way to build stamina for the spiritual life is by fasting. Isaiah says that,   Even the youths shall be exhausted, and the young men will all give up. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:30-31, TLB). Whether in marriage, parenting, business or even ministry, you have to build stamina in order to be able to run, and not get tired even as others are dropping out of the race from weariness. One way to build stamina for the spiritual life is by fasting.

Prayer: The Engine of Resilience
Another key to building great stamina for life is spending quality time in prayer. Jesus said to
Peter, the devil seeks to sift you as wheat (thoroughly try you), but I have prayed for you so that
your faith will not fail. What was going to sustain the faith of Peter through the trials was the
intercessory prayer of Jesus. And so we need much more to pray for ourselves in order to
develop the resilience for surviving everything the devil throws at us in the guise of life, for
prayer (especially in the Holy Ghost) builds us up in faith (Jude 1:20).

We need much more to pray for ourselves in order to
develop the resilience for surviving everything the devil throws at us in the guise of life.

When Pressure Reveals Your Structure
Seeing as the writer of proverbs says; You are a poor specimen if you can’t stand the pressure of
adversity, (Proverbs 24:10 TLB) what are you doing right now to build stamina into every aspect
of your life? Adversity is a test, and tests reveal whether you have walls or only decorations.
I am reminded of a time when the disciples of Jesus failed in their effort to heal a sick child that
had been brought to them. They asked Jesus privately why they didn’t succeed, and his
response was that that sort of case required fasting and prayer. Of course, he was referring
here not to an emergency for fasting and prayer, but a life shaped by fasting and prayer: a life
full of stamina, a life built intentionally around resilience.

What are you doing right now to build stamina into every aspect
of your life? Adversity is a test, and tests reveal whether you have walls or only decorations.

Build, but Build Wisely
In all your achievements, ambitions, and dreams, remember: walls first, houses later.
Systems before comfort. Resilience before expansion. Stamina before showmanship.
In all your building, build resilience. build stamina.

Visit our website to register for the 2026 World Agents of Change Conference…