Have you ever tried to move forward while dragging the weight of old, broken pieces behind you? Maybe you’ve convinced yourself this is fine. You patched it. You moved on. But somewhere deep inside, you know it’s not fixed. It’s just hidden.
In Rebuild! Don’t Repair: Why Fixing Things Doesn’t Fix Things in Life, Jon Harper reminds us that rebuilding isn’t optional. It’s a spiritual necessity, and nowhere is that call clearer than in the Book of Haggai.
Why Rebuilding Matters
God’s message through Haggai states:
“You’re living in luxurious houses while My house lies in ruins. Look at what’s happening to you!” (Haggai 1:4–5, NLT)
The Israelites thought they could build fulfilling lives while neglecting the most important structure of all — God’s dwelling place. They planted but harvested little. They earned but lost everything. Their foundation was broken, and so were their lives.
It’s the same for us today. We chase dreams, patch wounds, and stack achievements like bricks, hoping it all holds together. But without rebuilding the inner temple, the place where God’s Spirit longs to live, the cracks just keep spreading.
The truth? God doesn’t specialize in quick repairs. He rebuilds. And when He rebuilds, He starts from the inside out.
You Are the Temple
Harper draws a powerful connection between the ancient temple in ruins and the temple God cares most about today: you.
If you’re constantly feeling like your efforts aren’t enough… if you’re frustrated that the blessings you expected aren’t showing up… maybe the foundation you’re standing on wasn’t meant to be repaired. Maybe it’s meant to be rebuilt.
“You can’t fix what’s fundamentally broken. You have to start fresh. You have to rebuild.” — Jon Harper.
God isn’t asking for surface-level improvements. He’s inviting you into a full renovation of the heart, mind, and spirit, a restoration that only He can complete.
The Breaking Always Comes First
Here’s the part nobody likes to discuss: rebuilding begins with breaking.
Before the Israelites could rebuild the temple, they had to acknowledge the loss, the damage, the decay. The same is true for us.
It’s not enough to paint over pain with positivity. You can’t slap a Bible verse on top of bitterness and call it healed. You have to tear down what was never meant to last. Pride. Shame. Old patterns. Hidden hurts. Comfort zones.
Harper shares his “breaking” moment — the day he realized the luxury truck he bought to prop up his self-worth was actually sinking him into debt, shame, and fear. He didn’t need a better payment plan. He needed to let it go.
We all have something we need to release before we can rebuild.
The Cost of Superficial Solutions
Choosing not to rebuild comes at a cost.
- Quick fixes mask the real problem.
- Surface solutions feel good temporarily but leave deep wounds untreated.
- Superficial success makes collapse inevitable.
When you rebuild, you stop fearing when the next storm will blow it all down. You know your foundation is strong — not because you’re perfect, but because you let God be the builder.
As Harper writes:
“Yes, rebuilding takes more time than repairing. But it takes less time than staying stuck.”
A Promise for the Rebuilders
When the Israelites finally prioritized rebuilding God’s house, everything changed. God promised:
“From this day onward I will bless you.” (Haggai 2:19, NLT)
That promise still stands.
When you commit to rebuilding, God doesn’t just bless the work. He blesses you.
He fills what’s been emptied.
He heals what’s been hurting.
He redeems what felt wasted.
It’s Not Too Late to Rebuild
Maybe you’re thinking, I should’ve started this years ago.
Maybe you feel too broken.
Maybe you think the ruins are too far gone.
But the Book of Haggai and Harper’s story remind us that rebuilding is always possible when you put God first.
So ask yourself: Are you patching a life that’s falling apart — or are you ready to rebuild the life God designed for you?
One choice leads to more cracks. The other leads to peace, purpose, and freedom.
Choose to rebuild. Choose to come back to the God who never stopped choosing you.
Visit JonHarper.co to learn more.
