“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
Galatians 6:9 NKJV
One of the greatest temptations believers face is the temptation to stop doing good. Sometimes it is because doing good seems unnoticed. Other times, it is because our kindness is repaid with ingratitude, our generosity is taken for granted, or our actions appear to bring more hardship than reward. And in some cases, it is just not the easiest thing to do. So, we begin to wonder whether it is worth continuing.
Yet the Bible gives a simple instruction: do not grow weary in doing good. Notice that it does not say we will never feel overwhelmed at some point. Such times will come. But we must not let it get to a point where we are so weary that we abandon the good God has called us to do.
Jesus Himself is our greatest example.
Throughout His earthly ministry, He never relented in doing good. Even on the night He was arrested, when Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant, Jesus immediately healed the man (Lk. 22:50–51). Even while hanging on the cross, suffering the greatest injustice in history, He prayed for our forgiveness (Lk. 23:34). His circumstances never changed His character. That is the pattern every believer is called to follow.
Humanly speaking, it is natural to change our behaviour based on our experiences. Bad experiences with doing good can leave us feeling justified in withholding good from others. However, we have a higher standard to meet. The moment we became believers, we received a new nature in Christ Jesus (2 Cor 5:17). One of the traits of that nature is doing good. Just as circumstances do not alter God’s character, they should not alter ours.
We must remain consistent with the new nature regardless of the situation because our responsibility to do good is not determined by how people respond to us. It is determined by the character of the God we represent. (Eph. 5:1-2, 2 Pet. 2:9)
Doing good extends beyond acts of kindness. It includes remaining faithful in prayer, continuing in the study of God’s Word, serving faithfully, giving generously, encouraging others, forgiving those who wrong us, and preaching the gospel. Whether or not we feel motivated, these remain the responsibilities of every believer.
However, the truth is that there are times when these things no longer feel as “exciting” as they once were. Think about someone who has just joined a gym. At first, there is excitement. Every workout feels fresh. But after a while, the enthusiasm fades, and discipline must take the place of emotion. The Christian life is much the same.
There may have been a time when you eagerly prayed, studied Scripture, served in church, or shared the gospel with anyone who would listen. Over time, that initial excitement may fade. But our obedience must never depend on excitement alone.
We do not pray only because we feel like praying. We do not study God’s Word only because it feels refreshing. We do not forgive only when it is easy. We do not show kindness only when it is appreciated.
We do good because it is who Christ has called us to be. And we must be consistent and persistent with it. In many cases, the good we consistently do today becomes the very testimony God uses tomorrow.
One woman in Scripture who understood this was Tabitha. Acts 9: 36 NKJV describes her as someone “full of good works and charitable deeds”. She consistently cared for widows and the needy, sewing garments for them without expecting recognition. When she died, those same widows stood beside her body, weeping and showing Peter the clothes she had made for them, prompting Peter to take action(Acts 9:39). The very acts of kindness she had faithfully carried out became her testimony.
Moreover, God never leaves good deeds unrewarded. Hebrews 6:10 reminds us that “God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love”. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap—provided that we do not lose heart (Gal. 6:9).
Doing good is more than a commendable choice; it is obedience to God. God sees every unseen act of obedience, and He remembers them all.
How do we overcome weariness?
First, by walking in the Spirit. Jesus said, “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matt. 26:41 NKJV). It is not our renewed spirit that resists doing good, but our flesh. The flesh seeks comfort. It seeks convenience and self-preservation, while the Spirit continually leads us toward love, sacrifice, and obedience.
As we yield ourselves through prayer, the study of God’s Word, and obedience to the Holy Spirit’s promptings, God works in us “both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13).
Second, by fixing our eyes on Christ. Hebrews tells us that Jesus endured the cross “for the joy that was set before Him” (Heb. 12:2 NKJV). When we remember His example and view every act of service as something done unto Him, we find strength to continue doing good even when it is difficult (Matt. 25:40; Col. 3:23–24).
Another good way is to look forward to the reward for faithful obedience. Our motivation is not earthly recognition but the hope of hearing our Master say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:21). Looking towards the end will give us the strength we need for today.
Finally, remember that goodness is one of the clearest expressions of God’s character (Ps. 34:8; 145:9). If we claim to represent Him, then His goodness should be seen in us. We must therefore refuse to allow disappointment, betrayal, ingratitude, or weariness to harden our hearts.
The world does not need believers who only do good when it is convenient. It needs believers who continue doing good because they have first experienced the goodness of God. Every act of goodness is a small reflection of the God we represent. So, let us not grow weary; in due season, we shall reap, if we do not give up.
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