Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 

This verse is usually applied too late. We most often come to it when we are already “weary of doing good.”  It has the promise of reaping in “due season” if we do not give up, and most of us find encouragement in this verse.

But the “let” here is perhaps more important than the rest of the verse. What it says to us is that we do not have to grow weary, asking for prayer and looking up scriptures like this one and Matthew 11:28 (“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” These are great inspirations for those who feel they have little spiritual strength left, but we don’t have to go there as often as we do.

As we are encouraged as a society to eat well, exercise, and keep on top of our health to avoid serious illness later, this verse provides a vision of preventative spiritual health. It’s encouraging us to “not allow ourselves to grow weary of doing good.” Of course, we’re human, and there are times when we find ourselves getting weary of helping others, praying, providing grace, etc. But we don’t always have to get to that place. In Christ, we can get on top of those things that can bring us to that place.

Certainly, what even the world recommends for “self-care” is helpful: eating right, getting enough rest, exercising, giving oneself time for restoration. These are legitimate things we can do to prevent being weary in the natural, which can often affect us emotionally.

But what about the spiritual? How can we prevent spiritual weariness? Consider doing a self-inventory of what might be sapping your spiritual energies. Have you forgiven everyone that has hurt or offended you? Have you taken on too many responsibilities that you needn’t have done? (False responsibility is a key drainer of spiritual energy.) Have you properly paced yourself with your genuine responsibilities?

Are you growing resentful about all that you’re doing, or just even some of what you’re doing? If so, get some help getting past that, or it will surely take its toll. Are you feeding yourself, with thoughtful Bible reading and prayer? Are you attending church with an open heart to others, and ready to serve in any capacity the Lord might direct you to?

Have you avoided being obedient to anything you know the Lord wants you to do? We don’t have grace for resisting God’s Spirit, and that can sap our strength as well.  And finally, is there sin in your life that has yet to be repented of? Others may not see any of this, but you will feel the effects as your love for God and others gets “thinned out”.

It’s good to go to the Lord when we hit a wall, feel empty, and just don’t want to go on. But we don’t have to “let” that happen. The next time you feel as if you’re heading for that weariness, find out what’s draining you and led God lead you back to health and strength.

This verse is usually applied too late. We most often come to it when we are already “weary of doing good.”  It has the promise of reaping in “due season” if we do not give up, and most of us find encouragement in this verse.

But the “let” here is perhaps more important than the rest of the verse. What it says to us is that we do not have to grow weary, asking for prayer and looking up scriptures like this one and Matthew 11:28 (“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” These are great inspirations for those who feel they have little spiritual strength left, but we don’t have to go there as often as we do.

As we are encouraged as a society to eat well, exercise, and keep on top of our health to avoid serious illness later, this verse provides a vision of preventative spiritual health. It’s encouraging us to “not allow ourselves to grow weary of doing good.” Of course, we’re human, and there are times when we find ourselves getting weary of helping others, praying, providing grace, etc. But we don’t always have to get to that place. In Christ, we can get on top of those things that can bring us to that place.

Certainly, what even the world recommends for “self-care” is helpful: eating right, getting enough rest, exercising, giving oneself time for restoration. These are legitimate things we can do to prevent being weary in the natural, which can often affect us emotionally.

But what about the spiritual? How can we prevent spiritual weariness? Consider doing a self-inventory of what might be sapping your spiritual energies. Have you forgiven everyone that has hurt or offended you? Have you taken on too many responsibilities that you needn’t have done? (False responsibility is a key drainer of spiritual energy.) Have you properly paced yourself with your genuine responsibilities?

Are you growing resentful about all that you’re doing, or just even some of what you’re doing? If so, get some help getting past that, or it will surely take its toll. Are you feeding yourself, with thoughtful Bible reading and prayer? Are you attending church with an open heart to others, and ready to serve in any capacity the Lord might direct you to?

Have you avoided being obedient to anything you know the Lord wants you to do? We don’t have grace for resisting God’s Spirit, and that can sap our strength as well.  And finally, is there sin in your life that has yet to be repented of? Others may not see any of this, but you will feel the effects as your love for God and others gets “thinned out”.

It’s good to go to the Lord when we hit a wall, feel empty, and just don’t want to go on. But we don’t have to “let” that happen. The next time you feel as if you’re heading for that weariness, find out what’s draining you and led God lead you back to health and strength.