“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time, we shall reap if
we do not grow weary.” Galatians 6:9
The dictionary definition of “lose heart” is: “to begin to feel that one
cannot do something that one has been trying to do: to become discouraged”1; or, “to stop believing that you can succeed”.2 The Microsoft
dictionary chooses these synonyms for “lose heart”: “become despondent, become demoralized, give up, give in, lose
motivation, and falter.”
This is certainly, I am quite sure, something all of us have
experienced at one time or another.
The word “weary” means: “exhausted
in strength, endurance, vigor, or freshness.”3
It is easy to see how losing heart is the beginning of
growing weary, and how they go hand in hand.
Hebrews 12:3 tells us, For
consider Him (Jesus) who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself
so that you may not grow weary and lose heart.
But I love the Message version of Hebrews 12:3 even better: When you find yourselves flagging in your
faith, go over that story again item by item, that long litany of hostility He
plowed through. That will shoot
adrenaline into your souls!”
It is so easy for us to want to throw in the towel, yet we
are reminded to think about the endurance Jesus had when he was beaten beyond
recognition for no reason other than loving and healing people.
When I find myself feeling like I want to give up, I am
reminded of Ezekiel. God has not ever asked me to lie on my left side for 390
days, eating bread made over dung, and then another 40 days on my right side as
well (Ezekiel 4:4-16). I can’t even begin to picture this kind of endurance. If
I am asked to be patient for one day, I find myself starting to lose heart. I
try and imagine myself as Ezekiel, and then, almost like magic, the right
perspective kicks in. I am then easily able to reframe my thoughts and feelings
accordingly.
Some days, I feel more like Esau, trading away all that I am
for a bowl of stew. The Message version of Hebrews 12:16 says, Watch out for the Esau syndrome, trading
away God’s life-long gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted
that impulsive act, and wanted God’s blessing – but by then it was too late,
tears or no tears.
So, how do we keep ourselves from losing heart?
There are some amazing scriptures on which to meditate when
we find ourselves growing weary.
Here are a few to get you started:
A cheerful look brings
joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. Proverbs 15: 30
A cheerful heart is
good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22
When a man’s ways are
pleasing to the Lord, he even makes his
enemies live at peace
with him. Proverbs 16:7
Pleasant words are a
honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24
Better a dry crust
with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting with strife. Proverbs 17:1
The name of the Lord
is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10
A man’s spirit
sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? Proverbs 18:14
The horse is made
ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord. Proverbs 21:31
Do your best, prepare
for the worst – then trust God to bring victory. Proverbs 21:31 (Message)
Do not make friends
with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may
learn his ways and get yourself ensnared. Proverbs 22:25
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17
O Lord, how many are
my foes! How many rise up against
me! Many are saying of me, God
will not deliver him. But you are
a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. To the Lord I cry aloud and He answers
me from His holy hill. I lie down
and sleep; I wake again because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on
every side. Psalm 3:1-6
Many are asking, who
can show us any good? Let the
light of your face shine upons us, O Lord. You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their
grain and new wine abound. I will
lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:6-8
Why is everyone hungry
for more? More, more they
say. More, more. I have God’s more-than-enough, more joy
in one ordinary day than they get in all their shopping sprees. At day’s end, I’m ready for sound
sleep, for you God have put my life back together. Psalm 4:6-8 (Message)
The Lord is my light
and my salvation – whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour
my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and
fall. Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be
confident. One thing I ask of the
Lord, this is what I seek: that I
may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the
beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of
trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of
his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround
me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing
and make music to the LORD. Hear
my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, "Seek his
face!" Your face, LORD, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me, do not
turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God
my Savior. Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.
Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my
foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence. I am
still confident of this: I will
see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD. Psalm
27
Psalm 30:5 – For his
anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain
for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
My soul is weary with
sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. Psalm 119:28
Come to me, all you
who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
Cast your cares on the
Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall. Psalm 55:22
I have told you these
things, so that in me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!
I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
Ephesians 6:11-14a – Put
on the whole armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s
schemes. For our struggle is not
against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,
against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil
in the heavenly realms. Therefore,
put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be
able to stand your ground and after you have done everything to stand, Stand
firm then...
He gives strength to
the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and
fall; 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. Isaiah 40:29-31
Jeremiah 31:25 – I
will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.
Of course, there are many more, but what else can we do when
the angst seems to overpower the truth?
Breathe in the promises. Connect with the Holy Spirit to
show you what areas of stress need your attention.
The greatest gift you can give yourself, however, is to stop
creating expectations as to what you think should be the outcome. Instead,
allow the Spirit of the Living God to minister to your soul, and to bring in
the perfect peace of Jesus.
If you are having trouble with this, please seek Godly
counsel, because this is NOT God’s plan for your life. Do not let the enemy
steal any more from you.
You can also contact me, and I would love to pray with you
to see the deliverance that is waiting for you!
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