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Writer's pictureShawn Paul

8 Tips - Don't Grow Weary Doing Good

Updated: Nov 21


Are you feeling battle-weary and tempted to throw in the towel? Maybe the trials have piled up and drained your strength until you're running on fumes spiritually.


If that's you today, be encouraged - there is hope. Even the strongest warriors for Christ can sometimes grow weary in the fight. But God's Word reminds us in Galatians 6:9 - "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."


I encourage you to read on. I believe this blog post will be a huge blessing in your life. It will help you recognize weariness before it overtakes you and give you practical steps to stop it in its tracks.


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Why Do We Grow Weary


Here are some reasons you may be able to identify with growing weary. It is not a complete list because I am sure there are more. If you are feeling weary at this time and none of these resonate with you, take the time to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the reason for your weariness.


  • Struggles with doubt and uncertainty in your faith

  • Feeling overwhelmed by the demands of daily life

  • Experiencing disappointment or loss in your personal or professional life

  • Feeling spiritually stagnant or disconnected from God

  • Dealing with conflict or misunderstandings in relationships

  • Feeling burnt out from serving in ministry or volunteering

  • Coping with the challenges of raising children or caring for aging parents

  • Feeling discouraged by the state of the world and current events

  • Dealing with unresolved trauma or emotional wounds

  • Feeling overwhelmed by the weight of their sin and inadequacies


Ways to Overcome - Don't Grow Weary Doing Good


1. Perform a Spiritual Assessment


Lamentations 3:40 (NLT) — 40 Instead, let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn back to the LORD.

I don't know about you, but there have been times I felt my life getting out of alignment, that weariness hanging over my head. You go to prayer, and it just doesn't seem right, even with reading the Word of God. You try everything, and you can't shake it. It's like something is off, but you can't put your finger on it. Some will even say, yeah, I know what you mean. I feel like I have been pushing a boulder up a hill in my life.


Another example pops into my mind. Years ago, I was driving down the road, and I noticed that every time I let go of the steering wheel, my truck would pull hard to the right. Also, I had to grip the steering wheel and hold it in place so it wouldn't drift off the road. I went to the mechanic, and within 30 minutes, he had my truck back in proper alignment, and it was smooth sailing from there.


I highly encourage you. Don't ignore these moments in your life. The Word of God tells us that the Holy Spirit is our guide and counselor. Also, the Word says, if you need wisdom, ask God for it. Nothing should ever be a mystery with the Lord. He wants His best for our lives. In order to walk in that best, we need to go to Him and say, "Father, we need to talk. Something isn't right. Help me to test and examine my ways."


I promise you that the Lord will show you and help you make the needed adjustments in your life.


man weary

2. Recognize Life Has Seasons


Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 (NLT) — 1 For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.

Years ago, my pastor gave me some of the best advice, and I still hold it dear to my heart. He said, “Shawn, it’s just a season. In time, it will pass. Don’t get overwhelmed by your current situation.” Today, I remind myself of that advice. As I do when I am going through life’s troubles, it gives me hope to keep looking forward.


If you are fortunate enough to live in an area with four seasons, you will know what I am talking about. When I lived in Kentucky, I was always looking forward to the new season. I can’t wait for spring; I am done with winter. I can’t wait for summer to go swimming. I can’t wait for fall to see the color change in the trees. I can’t wait for winter; there is nothing like snow.


We must view life as a series of seasons. Some situations may only last a few days, a week, or even months. Though the pain and struggles feel endless, we must remind ourselves that this, too, shall pass. The new season, the new chapter, awaits.


You may feel like asking, "Shawn, you don't know my situation. When will my season of suffering end?" I understand the weariness, having been in situations where victory seemed so distant. But I promise you, if you stick with God, He will come through for you. God will never fail you.



3. Take Jesus’ Yoke Upon You


Matthew 11:28–30 (NLT) — 28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

“Living for Jesus” is such a cliche for so many people. They say it but don’t know what it means or are unwilling to do so. I believe that many believers in Christ carry their burdens instead of taking the yoke of Jesus upon them.


As we genuinely pursue the Lord’s plan and purpose, we place His yoke upon us. That may seem scary to some because they don’t want to lose control over their lives. They would much instead carry the burdens of life, not knowing in the long run, they are placing undue stress in their lives with weariness.


The Bible says, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” I don’t want you to think that you can kick back and chill in Jesus if you do so. It’s still hard work, but the grace of Jesus empowers you as you carry on!


Trusting God with your life may feel foreign, a loss of control. But I promise you, as you submit to the Father's leading, you will be rewarded. You will experience the goodness of putting your life entirely in His hands, not just in some areas but every area of life.


shawn paul

4. Commit to Rest


Matthew 11:28 (NLT) — 28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

As a little boy, I remember something about my parents that made such an impression on me. What I learned about both, I have applied to my own life.


My mother worked her fingers to the bone. She worked from sun up to sun down, and I never saw her stop. Sure, she sometimes watched TV and relaxed, but it was extremely rare. Her life was filled with work but very little rest.


My dad, on the other hand, worked extremely hard as well. He was an over-the-road salesman. There were times he would be away for days. When he came home, he was home. He relaxed and rested.


From my parents, I learned the importance of a strong work ethic, and that one must learn to rest.


From Matthew 11:28, we can see that there is 100% an element of rest in the Kingdom of God. The Lord established the Sabbath as a day of rest. The Lord does not want us to work ourselves into the ground. He wants us to live a balanced life.


I encourage you to consider your work life and even your habits in the home. Do you find yourself burning the candle at both ends? Are you living a healthy, balanced life with work and rest? What areas can you trim back and force yourself to relax?



5. Confidently Lean on the Promises of God


1 Peter 5:7 (NLT) — 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Weariness isn’t always about working too much; it can be more of a war in our minds for various reasons. As we can see from the list above, there are a multitude of reasons for this. Ultimately, it comes down to not giving the cares in your mind over to the Lord.


Years ago, as a business owner, I would carry so many burdens in my mind. They would push me into depressive thoughts and anxiety. I would constantly obsess over the what “IFs,” wild thoughts that never came to fruition.


Finally, I put a stop to them right in their tracks. I got a God’s Promise book at my church bookstore. I would force myself to read one promise after the other. I spoke those promises over my life. I stood on those promises and claimed that they were mine.


Over time, as the enemy would try to speak lies in my mind, I would come right back at him and say, “It is written……..” I would not let him lie to me any longer. I knew what God’s Word said and that it was true for my life.


We all must learn to prioritize God’s Word in our lives. When you know what is yours, you won’t let it be stolen from you. You will be able to overcome weariness before it even gets started!


saved by Jesus

6. Trust in God’s Timing


Psalm 27:14 (NLT) — 14 Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.

If people understood this, they would be miles ahead in their spiritual walk and not allow themselves to become weary when believing God to move on their behalf.


Rarely does anything happen instantaneously in the physical realm. Sure, there are miracles that take place. People can be healed in an instant. God can move on someone’s heart to bless you financially. But, as a whole, the spirit realm must move first. There are many cases where God has to work with other people to bring forth those things in our life that we are believing in.


Also, there is an element. Are you ready for it? God wants you to have it, but maybe He needs some changes on your part. Are you mature enough to handle it? Is your business ready to increase its number of customers? Do you need to gain a greater understanding? Are you lacking wisdom and insight?


This is where we need to learn more about waiting upon the Lord in prayer and truly listening to Him. There have been many times in my life when I had to ask God what I needed to do before attaining something I was praying for. He then showed me the changes that I needed to make.



7. Don't Lose Your Courage


Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT) — 6 So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid, and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

As parents, friends, neighbors, or coworkers, we all face situations that test our resolve and make weariness feel overwhelming. But we cannot allow life to crush our spirits or rob us of courage. Hard times will come, and people may disappoint, but we must stay determined to fulfill the unique race God has set before each of us.


Courage means boldness—boldness to love when we don't feel like it, to forgive when we want to cling to hurt and to obediently do something for God's Kingdom outside our comfort zone. It's being confident not in ourselves but in who God is. After 33 years of following Him, I know who God is because of how He has proven Himself in my life and because His Word is true.


We cannot fear what people may do or say about us. The only fear should be honor and reverence for God Himself. As we keep Him first, we need not tremble at opposition. God's presence goes with us, and He will fight for us, though we must still take the steps of obedience He lays out.


don't quit sign

8. Enduring to the End


Hebrews 13:5b (KJV) - I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

We must develop a resolve to go to the other side! People will fail us, circumstances and situations will blindside us, but God will NEVER fail us. He will never leave you or forsake you. We can always count on Him being there for us.


Just know this: you can’t control every situation in life, but what we can do is anchor our faith in the Lord. The Bible says in Hebrews 11:6, “Without faith it is impossible to please him for he that cometh to God must believe that he is.” We have to know who God is. We do that by reading and standing upon His written Word. This will give us the needed strength in times of trouble. It will provide us with the endurance we need. The verse in Hebrews goes on to say, “He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” How powerful that is; when we believe God and profess His Word is true, He rewards us!


So be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. Each of us has a unique plan and purpose to pursue, so run YOUR race with perseverance. Don't let life push you back, but keep moving forward in obedience to God. Rebuke the lies of the enemy he is speaking over your life; instead, speak and believe the truth.


Consider Jesus, who endured the cross for the love of us despite all opposition and hatred. If He endured to the end, we can also endure, not growing weary but pressing on toward the prize.



Wrapping it Up


Don't Grow Weary Doing Good this is a strong encouragement from God's Word.


We must choose not to grow weary each day. The Bible promises us that when we don’t, we will reap a harvest. We must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and stand firm on God’s promises. We must push through the times of struggle, reminding ourselves that it is only a season in our lives and that God has NEVER failed us before, and He is not going to begin to do so.


Remind yourself that God is a rewarder for those who diligently seek Him. The race marked out for each of us has an eternal prize waiting, a reward that far outweighs any temporal difficulties.


Don’t let go of your courage. Don’t lose heart. Allow the Lord to empower you with His grace, which He willingly provides. Keep putting one foot before the other, embracing each season with hope, and continuing to sow seeds of faithfulness. The harvest is coming in its due season if we do not give up. By God's grace and power, we can endure to the end and receive the crown of life Christ has won for us.


Devotional Questions


1. There are several reasons we may grow weary, such as struggles with doubt, feeling overwhelmed, disappointment, etc. Which of these reasons resonates most with you currently? What is one step you can take this week to overcome that source of weariness?


2. It is important to rest in the Lord and give our burdens to Him (Matthew 11:28-30). What burden or worry have you been carrying that you need to give over to the Lord consciously? How can you practice resting in Christ this week?


3. We should put our hope and trust in God's perfect timing and promises, even when we can't see how things will work out (Psalm 27:14). Is there a situation in your life where you are struggling to trust God's timing? What is one promise from Scripture you can cling to this week regarding that situation?


Scriptures on Growing Weary


Galatians 6:9

2 Thessalonians 3:13

Isaiah 40:31

Hebrews 12:3

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Psalm 73:26

1 Corinthians 15:58


Frequently Ask Questions


How do you encourage fellow believers in Christ to continue doing good even under difficult situations?


We should encourage each other to do kind acts and good deeds. The Bible says in Hebrews 10:24-25, "Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another."


I firmly believe that actions speak louder than words. Yes, we can verbally encourage people, but they must see us in action. I believe as we do so, they will be inspired to continue running their race.


I tell people that we may be the only Bible some people read, yes, even professing Christians. There are people around us at all times and watching us. Many of them even know of the hard times you are going through. How you live your life during those difficult situations will be an encouragement to them as well.


When we do good works, we show others how great God is. Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, "In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." Here is another example of the results of living good works in your own life. Our brothers and sisters in Christ will begin to glorify our Father God! As they praise Him, they will be encouraged greatly!


Why is prayer important for growth?


Prayer is essential for our spiritual growth and deepening our relationship with God. As 1 Thessalonians 5:17 instructs, "Never stop praying."


Through prayer, we draw near to God, and He draws near to us. James 4:8 says, "Come near to God, and he will come near to you." When we pray, we invite God's presence and power into our lives.


Prayer also allows us to cast our cares on God and experience His peace. Philippians 4:6-7 states, "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand."


Moreover, prayer aligns our hearts with God's will and purpose for our lives. As we pray, the Holy Spirit guides us and transforms us from the inside out. Romans 12:2 says, "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think."


What are the rewards for those who seek God?


For those who earnestly seek God, there are great rewards. The Bible tells us in Hebrews 11:6, "And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him."


One of the rewards for seeking God is the gift of eternal life. As Jesus said in John 17:3, "And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth."


Those who seek God also find peace and rest for their souls. Matthew 11:28-30 promises, "Then Jesus said, 'Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest... For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.'"


Additionally, God promises to be found by those who wholeheartedly seek Him. Jeremiah 29:13 states, "If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me."


Seeking God brings immeasurable rewards – eternal life, soul rest, and the very presence of God. Let us diligently pursue Him.

 

Shawn Paul

Shawn Paul is an author and missionary who has been living and working in Central America for the past 10 years. He is passionate about living for Jesus Christ and inspiring others to do the same, which is the focus of his blog, where he shares his expertise in Christianity.


In addition to his missionary work, Shawn enjoys reading books, studying God's Word, growing plants and flowers, feeding birds, and keeping up with the latest technology.


As a writer, Shawn's unique perspective and passion for his faith shine through in his work. Shawn's goal for the future is to impact people around the world for Jesus through his writing and missionary work.

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