Close Menu X
Navigate

Pastor Jay's Blog

Don’t Grow Weary of Growing Weary

 

There is a famous quote that says, “never say never.” It is one of those fun little quotes that endures because there is a glaring contradiction that still conveys an important reality that we do well not to forget. That dynamic is very similar to the simple admonition of this blog post, “don’t grow weary of growing weary.” The main difference is that my reminder is biblical in nature. God wants us to know why and how to not grow weary of growing weary.

Since I am saying that this admonition is biblical in nature, there cannot be any actual contradiction in it. One has to realize that I am using the term “grow weary” in slightly different ways. We will break out these two “wearys” and look at each of them.

Weary #1

The first “weary” is the one that all of us are used to. We get tired. Our energy is gone. We have been sapped of our physical and emotional resources. Physically, a person feels spent, lethargic, and drained. That is because it is true. The body can only handle so much, and after that, fatigue sets in. Emotions also seem to be inextricably linked to the physical body. When there is physical fatigue, there is often emotional fatigue as well. At this stage, people feel numb, or they cry over spilled milk (literally).

Thus far we have not spoken of anything sinful. This is just what it is to live in fallen bodies in a fallen world. But throw into the mix the reality that we are sinful people with fallen bodies in a fallen world and you will quickly find such things as slothfulness, gluttony (on comfort food), isolation, irritation, and anger. These types of sinful responses are so common in this realm of physical and emotional fatigue that we can think of them almost as though they are one and the same. That is, to be tired means one will be irritable. This, however, is not the case.

In the Bible, God calls us to weary ourselves. We are weary ourselves in vocational labor (1 Thess. 4:11; 2 Thess. 3:6-8). We are to weary ourselves in discipling others (Col 1:28-29). We are to weary ourselves in the general work of the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58). All of the above verses will bring us to the point of physical and emotional fatigue. You cannot have both a job and be abounding in the work of the Lord without growing tired. However, take a close look at what is really making you tired. Many people wear themselves out with their various self-imposed responsibilities (and their hobbies too) so that they have very little left for “abounding in the work of the Lord.” But assuming you are hitting the balance, the end result will be exhaustion. This is even more so when there is opposition from the world. But be assured that this weariness is a proper thing in our current fallen state. Don’t grow weary in doing this.

Weary #2

The next “weary” is where the problem really exists. The above “weary” is what you should do. This next “weary” you must not do. It is a weary that will cause far more pain and loss than just the exhaustion of hard work.

What is this “weary?” This is a spiritual kind of weary that happens when people have had enough of growing physically and emotionally weary in this fallen world. The Bible says not to let this happen (Gal. 6:9; 2 Thess. 3:13; Rev. 2:3). This is a weariness of obeying the commands to work hard and serve hard. This is a weariness of showing patience, of juggling schedules, of being disappointed by people, of saying no to normal comforts. This is a weary that forgets about the rewards promised to faithfulness, that forgets about little eyes that watch us in order to follow us, that sells out to smaller and fleeting pleasures. This is a weariness that finally answers the siren call of materialism, that pays attention to the message of commercials, and that slowly eases into a worldly mindset that wastes precious time that cannot be regained. This is a weariness that no longer wants to endure opposition, discomfort, or hardship. This is a weariness that causes a person to turn from doing what is right in order to be liked instead of hated, spoken well of instead of reviled, and respected instead of despised.

When people give into this kind of “weary,” you see them do things like quit ministries, search for a new church, descend into secret sin, ramp up hobbies, drop out of whatever controversy they were struggling in, make extravagant purchases, or simply squander their life away in pursuing normal comforts.

The Bible also calls this weariness “losing heart.” Hebrews 12:3 says, “For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Notice that the solution for this kind of weariness is not rest and rejuvenation. It is “considering Him.” We are to fill our minds with Christ. We should think about the greatness of what He endured compared to the smallness of what we endure. We should think of all that He won for us on the cross. He has brought us to God, given us His Spirit, promised us great rewards, and intercedes for us constantly. When we do this, our hearts are strengthened. Our hearts will be realigned with truth, reinvigorated with promises, redirected by His example, and revived by the gospel reality that God has given us Himself and therefore supplies what we lack and carries us all the way home.

Press on in Christ, and don’t grow weary of growing weary.

Leave a Comment

Do not change this field:
SPAM protection (do not modify):

SPAM protection (do not modify):