Redefine The GrindSample

Another thing to consider when the grind gets tough is that God always rewards hard work. The diligent individual who pushes forward during times of hardship will surely reach their destination. This is a concept that has been shown many times within the Bible. Jesus was a carpenter. Moses, Abraham, Jacob, and David were all shepherds. Paul was a tentmaker. All of whom worked hard and, as such, went on to do amazing things.

One such individual that comes to my mind when I think about the merits of the grind would be Nehemiah. The cup-bearer to the king, who left his post and rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem. The story of Nehemiah is one that is so profound to me. The idea that a meager servant, through perseverance and willpower, could rebuild Jerusalem from the ground up is amazing.

It was not an easy task. As Nehemiah worked, he would often be forced to fight off enemies who sought to throw him off of his grind. It took fifty-two days! Nearly two months of hard, manual labor each day.

But he accomplished it. 

Nehemiah built and then oversaw Jerusalem during one of the town’s most successful eras. Through hard work, God rewarded Nehemiah, and he ruled as governor for twelve years. After assisting his home town, Nehemiah obediently returned to his king.

This story has always helped me during times in which I feel like my hard work is all for nothing. When I read about Nehemiah, I think about his love for Jerusalem. His undying need to ensure that his home was safe. You see, the Jerusalem Nehemiah knew wasn’t the Jerusalem that was anymore. Nehemiah knew that he had to work towards restoring it to what it once was.

When I think about the hard work that Nehemiah put in for Jerusalem, I think about why I do what I do. Why I work hard. Why I get up in the mornings. My Jerusalem is my family. You have to have your own personal Jerusalem that is worth the grind. You must find a reason for the grind, or you will surely find an excuse. You must find your Jerusalem.

What is your Jerusalem?