Keep Doing Good in Spite of Discouragement
Are you discouraged by the lack of fruit in doing good for the Lord? Don’t give up my friend. The Lord sees your good works and that’s what matters.
How then do we keep doing good in spite of discouragement? By holding onto the promises found in God’s Word and by fixing our gaze on Jesus Christ.
Scripture encourages us to “not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone” (Galatians 6:9-10a ESV).
Consider a gardener. After preparing the soil and planting the seeds, she eagerly waits for sprouts to burst forth from the ground. While patiently waiting, she continues to water the soil and remove any weeds, believing one day she will spot signs of life emerging from the soil. Meanwhile, the tiny seeds slowly begin to germinate under the ground without the gardener ever knowing.
Holding onto God’s Promises
The same is true for us friends. We persist in doing good even though we don’t perceive any fruit. Keep in mind that sometimes our labor may yield fruit only visible to the Lord. But our labor for the Lord is NEVER in vain (I Corinthians 15:58) and “in due season we will reap, IF we do not give up“ (Galatians 6:9 emphasis added).
Remember that God is faithful in keeping His promises and His timing is always perfect. Therefore, let’s hold firmly to these promises from God’s Word and leave the outcome of our labor in His hands.
Besides holding onto God’s promises, we also fix our gaze on Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 12:1b-3 instructs us to “run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before Him He endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, so that you won’t grow weary and give up” (CSB).
Fixing Our Gaze on Jesus
With our focus on Jesus, we remember all the hardship He endured for us. Knowing Jesus gave up everything impels us to persevere and give our all for Him.
Plus, Jesus willingly submitted to the Father’s will and sought to please His Father, despite all the suffering He would experience. Like Jesus, let’s persevere in obedience out of love for the Lord, despite the circumstances. This pleases Him and brings Him great joy.
During times of discouragement, go to Jesus and pour out your heart. He understands your struggle. He will then strengthen and empower you to persist in doing good.
Keeping our eyes on Christ, let’s make the most of every opportunity to do good to all (Galatians 6:10a). As we do, remember to leave the outcome in God’s hands, for it is His responsibility, not ours.
I am cheering you on and praying for you, friend, as we hold firmly to the promises in God’s Word with our gaze fixed on Jesus Christ.
Father, You are faithful. Thank You that we can always depend on You. Help us to remember that You are pleased by our obedience and that the outcome of our good works is Your responsibility. Help us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus as we hold onto Your promises, for we desire to glorify You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Questions for Reflection:
- Do I tend to get discouraged when I don’t see any fruit from my labor?
- What steps can I take to remember God’s promises?
- How can I keep my focus on Jesus?
Additional Scripture for Further Study
I Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (ESV).
Ephesians 5:15-16, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (NIV).
