Don’t Grow Weary
Leadership in Context with Keith Tucci
Episode 136
Have you ever felt weary?
There are three references in the New Testament that say, “Do not grow weary.”
What’s important to notice is the phraseology of “growing weary.” It’s not just becoming weary or letting weary happen to you. There is a process by which weariness happens.
Weariness is different than being tired or exhausted. When you are tired, a good night’s sleep or two and a good meal will help you. But weariness is more mental, more emotional. Weariness depletes you; it dissolves you.
Galatians 6:9
Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.
If you read the whole text, you will see that Paul is talking about the principle of sowing and reaping. It is a direct reference to financial giving--but principally, it’s expanded beyond that. You either sow in the flesh or in the spirit. This is an admonition to not get soft about our flesh by doing things that just keep it easy for us. Keep sowing. Keep investing. Don’t pick the fruit too soon. Keep sowing because you will reap.
How to not grow weary: Determine that you are going to be a sower in everything you do.
2 Thessalonians 3:13
But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good.
This a comparison to the people he talks about in the previous verse. They weren’t doing any work, but were acting like busybodies. This is referring to physical work and comparing yourself to other people who aren’t working hard, wondering why you have to work so hard. This could be in a family relationship, a work situation, in the church—the principle applies when we start comparing ourselves instead of focusing on working as unto the Lord. Regardless of compensation or appreciation, our work should be done as unto the Lord.
How to not grow weary: Don’t compare and let others be the example. You set the standard in not growing weary of doing good work.
Hebrews 12:3
For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
The comparison here is our walk with the Lord and the hostility and lack of appreciation that Jesus experienced. The Greek is a little different here; weary is the same word translated in James 5:15 as “sick.” You can become so weary that it physically pains you. Depression has real physical effects on your body. When you are emotionally or mentally oppressed, there are physiological effects. Your body wants to shut down. Depression leads to inactivity, and inactivity leads to depression.
Don’t be discouraged when things in your spiritual life are not going well. Look at what Jesus had to endure. Don’t let it become a sickness in your soul.
How to not grow weary: Stay physically active, emotionally engaged, and intellectually stirred. This keeps us sharp in our mind.
Stand up on your feet. Take action on what God has given you. Don’t grow wearing of sowing and reaping. Don’t grow weary by comparison. Don’t grow weary because of resistance you might be facing. Do not grow weary. Do not let yourself grow weary.
Join us next week as Keith Tucci continues to put leadership truth in the context of the local church. And as always, please like, share, rate/review, and invite others to listen. See you next week!
