Don't Grow Weary: Persevere in Doing Good

Don't Grow Weary in Doing Good

As humans, we are wired to seek pleasure and avoid pain. We want to feel good, and we don't want to feel bad. That's why it's easy to get discouraged when doing good deeds and not getting the desired rewards. We start to think that our efforts are in vain and that it's not worth continuing. However, the Bible exhorts us not to grow weary in doing good, for in due season, we will reap if we do not give up.

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." - Galatians 6:9 NKJV

What Does It Mean to "Do Good"?

Before we can fully understand the exhortation not to grow weary in doing good, we need to know what it means to "do good." Doing good is not just about being a good person or doing good deeds. It's about living according to God's will and purpose for our lives. It's about loving God and loving others, as Jesus commanded us.

Jesus said, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:37-40 NKJV)

So, doing good is about loving God and loving others in practical ways. It's about following the example of Jesus, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil (Acts 10:38). It's about being a light in a world of darkness, showing the love and compassion of Christ to those around us.

Why Do We Get Weary in Doing Good?

Despite our best intentions, we are still human, and we get tired and discouraged. We get weary in doing good for several reasons:

1. We Don't See Immediate Results

When we do good, we want to see immediate results. We want to see people's lives changed, problems solved, and needs met. However, that's not always the case. Sometimes, we don't see the fruit of our labor right away, and that can be discouraging.

But the Bible reminds us that we will reap in due season if we do not give up. We may not see the results of our labor now, but we will see them in the future. We must trust in God's timing and not grow weary in doing good.

2. We Face Opposition and Criticism

When we do good, we may face opposition and criticism from others. People may question our motives or criticize our methods. This can be discouraging, especially when we feel like we're doing the right thing.

However, Jesus faced opposition and criticism during his ministry on earth, and he told his disciples that they would face the same. He said, "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." (John 15:18-19 NKJV)

We must remember that we are not of this world, and we will face opposition and criticism from those who do not share our values and beliefs. But we must not let that discourage us from doing good. We must persevere and trust in God's strength to carry us through.

3. We Get Tired and Overwhelmed

When we do good, we may take on too much and get overwhelmed. We may think that we can do it all, but the reality is that we are limited. We need rest and refreshment to continue doing good.

Jesus recognized the importance of rest and refreshment. He said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV)

We must learn to rest in Jesus and not rely on our own strength. We must take time to recharge and refresh ourselves, so we can continue doing good in the world.

How to Not Grow Weary in Doing Good

Now that we know why we get weary in doing good, how can we avoid it? How can we continue doing good, even when we're tired and discouraged?

1. Keep Your Focus on God

It's easy to get sidetracked by the challenges and obstacles we face when doing good. But we must keep our focus on God and his purpose for our lives. We must remember that we are doing good not for our own glory but for God's.

The apostle Paul wrote, "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24 NKJV)

We must do good with a heart that is fully devoted to God, knowing that he sees our efforts and will reward us in due season.

2. Find Encouragement from Others

We are not meant to do good alone. We need the support and encouragement of others to keep us going. We need people who will cheer us on, pray for us, and hold us accountable.

The book of Hebrews tells us to "consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25 NKJV)

We must find a community of believers who will encourage and support us in our efforts to do good.

3. Pace Yourself and Take Time to Rest

As mentioned earlier, we must pace ourselves and take time to rest. We cannot do good if we are burnt out and exhausted. We must learn to prioritize and say no to things that will drain us.

Jesus said, "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26 NKJV)

We must remember that our soul is more important than our accomplishments. We must take care of ourselves, so we can continue doing good in the world.

4. Trust in God's Strength and Timing

Finally, we must trust in God's strength and timing. We cannot do good in our own strength. We need the power of the Holy Spirit to sustain us and carry us through.

The apostle Paul wrote, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13 NKJV)

We must rely on God's strength and not our own. We must trust in his timing and not grow weary in doing good.

Conclusion

Doing good is not easy, but it's worth it. When we love God and love others in practical ways, we bring glory to God and make a difference in the world. We must not grow weary in doing good, for in due season, we will reap if we do not give up.

Let us keep our focus on God, find encouragement from others, pace ourselves, and trust in God's strength and timing. Let us continue doing good, even when we're tired and discouraged. And let us remember the words of the apostle Paul:

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." - 1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV