Galatians 6 | Doing Good When I Don’t Want to

“Sometimes, I just get tired of having to be the bigger person and take the high road where I let go of my hurt or expectation. I know that’s wrong and everything, and I’m gonna get over it, it’s just where I’m at, ya know?”

That’s a direct quote from myself to my husband….last week. *cringe* 

I’m trusting you all not to judge me too harshly here, I’m sure we’ve all felt that way at one point or another, whether we admitted it or left it unvoiced. Full disclosure, I wasn’t even supposed to be writing this blog, but there was a mix up and I looked up the chapter to see who I could assign it to. As I read Paul’s words, I knew that the Lord had instead assigned it to me, because it’s been something He’s working on in me. Take a look at what Paul has to say:

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:9-10

It’s exhausting constantly making the effort to do the best thing, to take the high road, to let go of offenses and unmet expectations. Sometimes, it seems like we’re failing a lot more than we succeed, sanctification is hard work. In those moments when I begin to get weary, when my yes is begrudging and my heart is heavy, the one thing that I know I can always turn to is this: No one understands the wrestle of doing good when it’s difficult more than Jesus. 

In Luke 22:44 we see how Jesus struggled with the thought of doing the right thing in the hours leading up to his crucifixion “And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”  

I don’t know about you, but hearing that Jesus wrestled with what was put before him gives me hope. In that verse, we find what I believe to be the secret to not tiring and becoming weary as Paul instructs. In those moments when the going gets tough, instead of running in shame, we need to turn to the Father and pray with honest, earnest, sometimes even ugly prayers knowing that it is not our strength that prevents weariness, but rather the gift of grace from Jesus Christ our Lord. Isaiah 40:31 states “but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” That is how we can be refreshed and continue to do good as we are required, constantly being given all that we need to meet the opportunity placed before us this day, especially when the opportunity is to help our brothers and sisters in Christ. Because that’s what families do, and because we will never “out do” our Savior in doing good.

I hope this encourages you on your walk, to remember that when things get hard and the right thing to do is the last thing you want to, when you feel the weight of choosing to do good, you can run to the Father, and He will give you strength. And remember, there’s a promised attached to our task “for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” So gather your strength because we must not give up, there is a good work placed before us today, and harvest is coming.