Paul wrote many encouraging words in Galatians 6. Some of the most well-known are found in verse 9, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” It is possible for Christians to become weary even when they are doing good. We all need encouragement to keep on doing good. When our spiritual energy is sapped, we can wonder what the point is in continuing. Paul says we need to focus on the goal of reaping our eternal reward. As Paul just pointed out in the previous two verses, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting” (Galatians 6:7-8). Fleshly pursuits are empty; they yield no lasting results, except for eternal separation from God (Romans 6:21). Spiritual endeavors, however, lay up treasures in heaven that will endure (Matthew 6:19-20). We can rejoice that our labor is not in vain in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58). It is when we lose sight of the goal and focus on peripheral issues that we are in spiritual danger (Luke 8:14).
Often one of the reasons we become spiritually weary is because we are bearing burdens. The Galatians had been led by Judaizing teachers who bound laws upon them that God did not. Because the Galatians felt they needed to keep a host of additional burdensome laws, they missed out on the life and liberty that is found in Jesus Christ (Galatians 5:1). There are people today who are spiritually plagued by teachers who place requirements on them that God does not require. People are often drawn to overly regulated religion because they do not have to think for themselves, but it leads to spiritual death.
Even if we are not being led by false teachers, in order to please everyone, we can often place requirements on ourselves that lead to spiritual exhaustion. Paul wrote in Galatians 6:2, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” He also wrote in verse 5, “For every man shall bear his own burden.” We ought to help one another and allow others to help us. Connecting with brothers and sisters in Christ and supporting one another is one of the best remedies for spiritual burnout. On the other hand, each man must do his own part. If we do for others what they can and should do for themselves then neither party is benefited. Even Jesus, who came to serve (Matthew 20:28), on occasion would send the multitudes away, and take time apart to be alone in prayer to God (Matthew 14:23). We can be so busy doing for others that we can neglect our own needed devotional time with God. Developing my personal relationship with God is something only I can do, so I must follow the example of my Savior who spent time alone with God.
Take time this week to renew your focus and investigate ways you can take care of your own spiritual needs so your future will be characterized not be wearing out but by well doing.
-Mark Day