The Mindset of Builders

Nehemiah 6:15

So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days.

Nehemiah was one of the great builders in the Scriptures. He took a wall that was in ruin and rebuilt it in a very short timeframe. In studying Nehemiah's life, you will see that he had six mindsets that portray the builder’s mindset. Every builder that I have been around has had these six mindsets. Let me share them with you.

First, he had a building mindset. Nehemiah 4:6 says, So built we the wall… Nehemiah did more than talk about building something; he built something. Having a vision is necessary to building something. A building mindset knows the importance of having a vision. Builders never have a maintaining mindset; they have a mindset to move forward and build something great for God. If you are okay with where you are, you will never build anything for God. Mediocrity is the mindset of losers; building is the mindset of people whom God uses greatly.

Second, he had a “we” mindset. You will notice in verse 6 it says, So built we… Nehemiah understood he could not do the work alone; he needed the help of others to build this great work. Great builders understand they need everyone's help to make the work they are building a reality. If you must do everything yourself, you will never build anything worthy of noting.

Third, he had a working mindset. It says in verse 6, the people had a mind to work. You can't be afraid of work and build something. Too many try to get out of work, and then they wonder why they struggle to build anything. It takes many hours of work to build something great for God. You will never build a great work for God on 40 hours a week. You must be so addicted to the work of God that 40 hours of work seems like you have just finished half of your work week.

Fourth, he had a laboring mindset. Nehemiah 4:21 says, So we laboured… Laboring means he was not afraid to do the hard thing. If you are looking for the easy way to build something for God, you will never build anything great for Him. Builders see the hard things as opportunities on the path to success. If you look at the hard things as obstacles, you will never build anything for God. You must turn your mindset from viewing hard things as obstacles to seeing them as opportunities to overcome, and not be afraid to labor to see the hard thing accomplished if you want to build something great for God.

Fifth, he had a mindset that criticism would come. Nehemiah 4:1 says the Jews mocked. In Nehemiah 4:4 he said, we are despised. You will never build anything great if you must be liked by everybody. I have learned that when you are building something great, many people will say bad things about you because of their laziness and jealousy. Stop worrying about what others say and let your work silence the critics.

Sixth, he had a finishing mindset. Nehemiah 6:15 says, So the wall was finished. Every builder I have been around had a mindset to finish what they started. Don’t be a person who starts many things and never finishes anything; be a person who finishes everything you start. Builders are finishers who don't stop building until they finish what they started.