“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9, KJV).
In the verse above, Paul told the Galatians that they were not to “lose heart in doing good” (NASB). Yet this often happens. We become exhausted through the activities, pressures, and obligations of life. This is something that everyone faces. However, as Christians, we need to deal with this feeling appropriately and not allow ourselves to “lose heart.”
About Feeling Weary
This feeling of weariness is normal. Any time we are working, facing difficulties, or experiencing stress, it takes a toll on us. Besides the draining aspects of life that are common to all people, Christians are also working for the Lord (Matthew 28:20) and suffering for His cause (Luke 9:23; 2 Timothy 3:12). Paul told the brethren in Corinth of his “affliction” as he and his companions were “burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life” (2 Corinthians 1:8). Elijah, the prophet of old, reached a point in which he “requested…that he might die” and that the Lord “take [his] life” (1 Kings 19:4). These were godly men and great examples of faith, yet they experienced these feelings of weariness.
Hopefully, when we experience this, it will be temporary. Though Paul, at one time, “despaired even of life” (2 Corinthians 1:8), he admonished the brethren in Philippi to “rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4). A few verses later, he explained that he “learned to be content in whatever circumstances” he was in (Philippians 4:11). Despite the labor, hardships, responsibilities, and persecution he faced, Paul did not remain in the depths of despair.
As Christians, we have hope of heaven and the comforts promised there. In describing the vision of the heavenly city, John wrote, “And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). This should motivate us to “press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).
There will be times when we feel weary, but we must not allow ourselves to “lose heart” (Galatians 6:9). As the Hebrew writer explained, we can “consider [Jesus] who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that [we] will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:3).
Wrong Ways to Become Weary
As we noted, weariness is normal. However, there are certain things we might do that would cause us to become weary that we should avoid. We might exhaust ourselves doing things that are sinful, futile, or foolish. We need to guard against such things.
- Becoming weary by doing evil things – Jeremiah recorded the Lord’s lament over the people of Judah: “Everyone deceives his neighbor and does not speak the truth, they have taught their tongue to speak lies; they weary themselves committing iniquity” (Jeremiah 9:5). Sin (iniquity) takes a toll on us as we expend our strength and energy in practicing it. Yet Paul explained that we are not to be “slaves of sin” (Romans 6:16-17). We need to work to put away sin from our lives, not wear ourselves out practicing it.
- Becoming weary to gain wealth – The wise man said, “Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, cease from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings like an eagle that flies toward the heavens” (Proverbs 23:4-5). Work is necessary [we will discuss this more in a moment], and we are to be hardworking (Ecclesiastes 9:10). However, the wise man was not warning about being tired after an honest day’s work. Instead, he was warning about making accumulating wealth one’s primary goal. We can exhaust ourselves doing this, and many in the world do.
- Becoming weary in the futile pursuit of knowledge – The wise man described this unending pursuit of learning: “But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body” (Ecclesiastes 12:12). Just as we made a disclaimer on the previous point about work being necessary, studying is also necessary (2 Timothy 2:15); yet not all studying is worthwhile. Many people study to acquire knowledge that is ultimately useless.
Living as a Christian requires endurance. It has enough challenges without us making it more difficult by wasting our time and energy on pursuits we should avoid.
Right Ways to Become Weary
Keep in mind where we started. Paul talked about becoming “weary in well doing” (Galatians 6:9, KJV). We may become tired as we do what is right, but we must not become tired of doing what is right.
- Serving the Lord – The Hebrew writer said, “For consider [Jesus] who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:3). Jesus did the Father’s will despite having to endure the cross. In doing so, He left us a perfect example (1 Peter 2:21-22) as He “humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). In the same way, we need to devote our lives to the service of God. We are to “work out [our] salvation” (Philippians 2:12) and “do all in the name of the Lord” (Colossians 3:17).
- Doing good to others – This was the immediate context of the verse we began with: “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary” (Galatians 6:9). There are two ways in which we might do good to others, and both are necessary. First, we can provide for one’s physical needs, as Paul went on to explain: “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith” (Galatians 6:10). Helping others in this way is part of what it means to live by faith (James 2:15-17). Second, we can provide for one’s spiritual needs and “restore such a one” who is “caught in any trespass” (Galatians 6:1-2). We can encourage our brethren to remain faithful as well (Hebrews 3:12-13).
- Working – In addition to fulfilling one’s responsibilities in this life, Paul talked about working as a way to avoid certain sinful behaviors that are easy to practice when we are idle: “For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread. But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good” (2 Thessalonians 3:11-13). If we work as Paul described in this context – “night and day” (2 Thessalonians 3:8) – we will be tired. Yet we have a responsibility to provide for ourselves and our families (2 Thessalonians 3:10; 1 Timothy 5:8). As we do this, we are to “do [our] work heartily, as for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23).
How to Keep from Growing Weary
If we are doing what we ought to be doing, we will become tired and may experience weariness from time to time. How can we keep from reaching the point where we burn out and give up?
- Keep your eyes on Jesus – Again, remember the admonition from the Hebrew writer: “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:2-3). He is our example. He suffered more than we ever will, and He endured all of it so He could return to heaven and bring us there as well. Remember, Jesus came from heaven (cf. 2 Corinthians 8:9), so He knew with absolute certainty that whatever He had to endure to get there was worth it.
- Get encouragement from others – Just before admonishing the Galatian brethren not to grow weary and lose heart, Paul wrote, “Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). All of us need encouragement and help along the way. Even someone like Paul, who would be a source of encouragement for so many Christians, also needed support. He told the church in Corinth that he rejoiced because of the brothers who “refreshed [his] spirit” (1 Corinthians 16:17-18). We all need to be giving and receiving encouragement.
- Focus on your own work – As we noticed earlier, some in Thessalonica were “acting like busybodies” and were told by Paul to “work in quiet fashion” (2 Thessalonians 3:11-12). The word “quiet” in that verse means to do one’s own work without meddling in the affairs of others. Paul told these brethren in his first epistle to “lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands” (1 Thessalonians 4:11). The wise man said, “The sleep of the working man is pleasant, whether he eats little or much” (Ecclesiastes 5:12). Physical exhaustion that comes from a full day of fruitful activity can help us sleep, but filling our thoughts with things that are not of our concern will make sleep more difficult.
Conclusion
Many things can cause us to become weary – even good things. Yet we must not allow ourselves to get to the point where we “lose heart.” Paul encouraged us: “In due time we will reap if we do not grow weary” (Galatians 6:9). Let us continue to do what God has told us to do and encourage others to do the same.
