How can we avoid becoming "tired of doing good"?
"Let us not tire of doing good, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Galatians 6: 9).
We are the hands and feet of God here on Earth, called to help others and to build them up. Indeed, the Lord expects us to intentionally seek ways to show His love to both fellow believers and the people we meet in the world every day.
But as humans, we only have finite amounts of physical, emotional and mental energy. So no matter how strong our desire to serve God is, fatigue can set in after a while. And if it seems our work isn't making a difference, discouragement can also take root.
The apostle Paul understood this dilemma. He often found himself on the verge of running out and confessed his struggles in those low moments. Yet he always recovered, determined to continue following God's call in his life. He urged his readers to make the same choice.
"And with perseverance let us run the course marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus ..." (Hebrews 12: 1).
Every time I have read Paul's stories, I have marveled at his ability to find new strength amidst fatigue and even depression. If I'm determined, I can learn to overcome fatigue like he did - you can too.
What does it mean to become "tired and do well"
The word tired, and how it feels physically, is quite familiar to us. The Merriam Webster dictionary defines it as "exhausted in strength, endurance, vigor or freshness". When we reach this place, negative emotions can also develop. The voice goes on to say: "to have exhausted patience, tolerance or pleasure".
Interestingly, two Biblical translations of Galatians 6: 9 highlight this connection. The Amplified Bible says: “Let us not tire and do not be discouraged…”, and The Message Bible offers this: “So let us not allow ourselves to tire ourselves out doing good. At the right time we will reap a good harvest if we do not give up or stop “.
So as we “do good” as Jesus did, we need to remember to balance service to others with God-given moments of rest.
The context of this verse
Galatians chapter 6 lays out some practical ways to encourage other believers as we also look at ourselves.
- Correcting and restoring our brothers and sisters by protecting us from the temptation to sin (v. 1)
- Carrying each other the weights (v. 2)
- By not becoming proud of ourselves, neither by comparison nor by pride (v. 3-5)
- Showing appreciation to those who help us learn and grow in our faith (v. 6)
- Trying to glorify God rather than ourselves through what we do (v. 7-8)
Paul ends this section in verses 9-10 with a plea that we continue to sow good seeds, those good works done in Jesus' name, whenever we get the chance.
Who was the hearing of the Book of Galatians, and what was the lesson?
Paul wrote this letter to the churches he had founded in southern Galatia during his first missionary journey, probably with the intention of circulating it among them. One of the main themes of the letter is freedom in Christ against adherence to Jewish law. Paul especially addressed it to the Judaizers, a group of extremists within the church who taught that one had to submit to Jewish laws and traditions in addition to believing in Christ. Other themes in the book include being saved by faith alone and the work of the Holy Ghost.
The churches that received this letter were a mixture of Christian and Gentile Jews. Paul was trying to unite the different factions by reminding them of their equal position in Christ. He wanted his words to correct any false teaching given and bring them back to the truth of the gospel. Christ's work on the cross brought us freedom, but as he wrote, “… don't use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather serve each other, humbly in love. For the whole law is fulfilled in the observance of this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself' ”(Galatians 5: 13-14).
Paul's instruction is as valid today as it was when he put it on paper. There is no shortage of needy people around us and every day we have a chance to bless them in the name of Jesus. But before we go out, it is important to keep two things in mind: Our motive is to show God's love so that receive glory, and our strength comes from God, not our personal reserve.
What we will "reap" if we persevere
The harvest that Paul meant in verse 9 is the positive result of any good deed we do. And Jesus himself mentions the extraordinary notion that this harvest takes place in others and within us at the same time.
Our works can help bring about a harvest of worshipers in the world.
“Likewise, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
Those same works can personally bring us a harvest of eternal riches.
“Sell your goods and give them to the poor. Provide yourself with bags that won't wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart also be ”(Luke 12: 33-34).
How does this verse appear to us today?
Most churches are very active in terms of ministry and offer wonderful opportunities to do good works both within and beyond the walls of the building. The challenge of such an exciting environment is to get involved without being overwhelmed.
I have had the experience of going through a church “job fair” and finding myself wanting to join many different groups. And that doesn't include the spontaneous good jobs I might get a chance to do during my week.
This verse can be seen as an excuse to push ourselves further even when we are already in overdrive. But Paul's words can also be a warning, leading us to ask "How can I not get tired?" This question can help us set healthy boundaries for ourselves, making the energy and time we spend more effective and joyful.
Other verses in Paul's letters give us some guidelines to consider:
- Remember that we are to minister in the power of God.
"I can do all this through him who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13).
- Remember that we must not go beyond what God has called us to do.
“… The Lord has assigned each one his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. Therefore neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow ”(1 Cor. 3: 6-7).
- Remember that our motives for doing good works must be based on God: to show his love and serve him.
“Be devoted to each other in love. Honor one another above you. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor by serving the Lord ”(Romans 12: 10-11).
What should we do when we start feeling exhausted?
As we begin to feel drained and discouraged, finding out why will help us take concrete steps to help ourselves. For example:
Do I feel spiritually exhausted? If so, it's time to "fill the tank". How? Jesus left to spend time alone with His Father and we can do the same. Quiet time in His Word and prayer are just two ways to find spiritual recharge.
Does my body need a break? Eventually everyone runs out of strength. What signs does your body give you that it needs attention? Being willing to quit and learning to let down for a while can go a long way in refreshing us physically.
Do I feel overwhelmed by the task? We are designed for relationships and this is also true for ministerial work. Sharing our work with brothers and sisters brings a sweet friendship and a greater impact on our church family and the world around us.
The Lord calls us to an exciting life of service and there is no shortage of needs to be met. In Galatians 6: 9, the apostle Paul encourages us to continue in our ministry and offers us the promise of blessings as we do. If we ask, God will show us how to remain devoted to the mission and how to stay healthy for the long term.