Read Nehemiah 4:7-14. In rebuilding the wall, the Israelites had finished it to half its height when they came under tremendous pressure by their enemies to quit. Halfway is always one of the hardest places to be and where resistance seems to intensify. You have probably had that experience in an area of your life where you quit halfway in completing something. To continue to completion you must begin fortifying those vulnerable places in your life that will stop you from finishing.

• Describe something in your life that you only halfway completed?
• What is one vulnerable place in your life where you have been attacked or felt strong resistance lately?

Re-read Nehemiah 4:10 & Mark 1:32, 35. Just as a winning team focuses on closing the gaps in their defense, you must also focus on the vulnerable places that slow or stop your progress. One of those places is fatigue. Fatigue, spiritual and physical, makes you extremely vulnerable to all kinds of attacks. So, when you get tired you must always remember to energize yourself before moving forward. Jesus knew what it was like to work long hours teaching and healing people, but never missed the opportunity to spend quality time alone with God for his spiritual strength. Just like eating, exercise, and sleeping are vital for a healthy physical body, devotion time with God is vital for your soul.

• Which recharging activity do you skip most often: sleeping right, eating healthy, regular exercise, or weekly rest?
• Do you have a devotional plan? What is it and how faithful are you in doing it?

Frustration is another one of those places of vulnerability that you need to keep in check. Opposition almost always specializes in discouragement especially after you reach a point past your initial enthusiasm and have to really get to work to complete a task or life-change.

• Name something you started with great enthusiasm, but failed to finish.
• What area of life do you have the most frustration right now: parenting, marriage, work, finances, serving, other?

Read Ephesians 6:18. To get beyond frustration you must have a proactive response. When the Israelites became frustrated, Nehemiah’s response was to pray, put a plan into action and then persevere through the problems. You too can get past your frustration and the opposition by having the same proactive approach, not getting stuck in one or the other.

• On which proactive response do you normal get stuck: fighting in prayer, making a proactive plan, or persevering through?
• What will you do now to keep moving forward?

Read Philippians 4:13. The final vulnerable place is fear. Winning or losing usually begins in the mind because as you think that is how you go. Paul writes that you can do all things through Christ, and you must often remind yourself of Christ’s power that works within you to accomplish his tasks. You must also surround yourself with encouragers and people of faith who will spur you on in prospering.

• Is there a fear in your life right now? What is it?
• Name a person who encourages you? How does that help you?
• What specific proactive life plan do you need to do today to persevere through: Cut up your credit cards, set a budget, commit to date night, get back into counseling, join a class at the gym, get into a weight loss group or plan, other?