A Devotional on Galatians 6:9 for the Weary Heart
Galatians 6:9 (ESV): “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
Introduction: When Faithfulness Feels Invisible
For more than ten years, I worked overseas in a private healthcare facility. I loved my job—helping patients heal, being part of their recovery, and using the skills God gave me. But it wasn’t easy.
As a foreigner, I was often reminded that I wasn’t “one of them.” No matter how hard I worked, the locals were favored with better schedules and higher pay. Many times, I felt overlooked and unappreciated.
So why did I stay for so long?
Because I knew that I wasn’t ultimately working for my bosses. I was working for the Lord. Colossians 3:23 reminded me daily: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” My work became an offering to Him, even when no one else noticed.
Maybe you’ve felt the same. You pray faithfully for your family, serve tirelessly in ministry, or work hard in your career, but it feels like your efforts are unseen or unfruitful. Discouragement whispers, “Does any of this even matter?”
That’s why Galatians 6:9 is such a lifeline. It’s God’s gentle reminder that He sees every act of faithfulness, even the ones no one else notices. And He promises that, in His perfect timing, there will be a harvest if we don’t give up.
What “Doing Good” Really Means
When Paul urges us not to grow weary in “doing good,” he’s not talking about random, one-off acts of kindness (though those are important). He’s talking about a lifestyle of faithfulness in the ordinary and extraordinary parts of life:
- Sharing the Gospel and living it out daily, even when it’s inconvenient or unpopular.
- Teaching and encouraging others in the Word, whether at church, at home, or in private conversations.
- Serving people where they are, with love, while trusting God to bring the real transformation.
- Meeting needs—both physical and spiritual—with a Christ-like heart.
- Choosing integrity at work, nurturing your children in faith, or quietly helping someone who can’t repay you.
Even the smallest things—like Jesus said, offering a cup of water in His name—matter deeply to God. He doesn’t measure the size of our work but the heart behind it.
Why We Grow Weary
Weariness rarely shows up overnight. It grows slowly, like a seed, until one day we realize we’re drained and ready to quit. The challenges we face often feed this weariness:
📍 When results are slow to show up.
We sow seeds in prayer, service, or relationships, but see no visible change.
📍 When the waiting feels endless.
God’s timing doesn’t match our expectations, and impatience convinces us He’s forgotten.
📍 When blessings feel heavy.
A new marriage, a bigger home, a growing ministry or business—all good gifts—bring added responsibility that can leave us tired.
📍 When criticism or opposition comes.
Serving faithfully can sometimes draw resistance, leaving us feeling isolated.
📍 When we try to do it all in our own strength.
Forgetting to lean on God leads to burnout.
The signs are subtle:
- You lose patience with people you used to treat with grace.
- You question whether you’re truly on the right path, even when God confirmed it before.
- You lose passion for things that once filled you with joy.
When those feelings creep in, Galatians 6:9 reminds us that our work isn’t wasted—and that perseverance will be rewarded.
The Seasons of Faithfulness
Walking with God often feels like tending a field. There are three key seasons, and each one can tempt us to quit if we’re not careful.
1️⃣ The Planting Season
This is when we’re sowing seeds—praying for someone’s salvation, serving in ministry, working with integrity, or pouring into our families.
It often feels thankless because the soil looks unchanged. Like any good farmer, we can’t dig up the seed to “check” on it. We must trust that God is at work, even when it’s hidden from view.
2️⃣ The Waiting Season
This is often the most discouraging time. We want results now, and when they don’t come, we assume something is wrong. But God’s delays are not denials. Waiting is not wasted time—it’s a refining time.
Just as planting seeds in the wrong season can ruin the crop, forcing a harvest too soon can be equally detrimental. God knows the exact conditions your “harvest” needs to thrive, and He uses waiting to prepare both you and your circumstances.
3️⃣ The Harvest Season
We often think the harvest is the finish line—a time to finally rest. But for farmers, the harvest is actually the busiest time of year.
Gathering blessings—whether it’s a marriage you prayed for, a home you longed for, a thriving ministry, or a business breakthrough—requires strength, diligence, and stewardship. Even abundance can feel overwhelming if we forget that the same God who provides the harvest also provides the strength to sustain it.
In each of these seasons, God gives us the same instruction: Don’t give up.
Like Florence Chadwick, the long-distance swimmer who quit her first attempt to reach the California coast because fog hid the shoreline, we can’t let discouragement blind us to what’s just ahead. She made it the next time—not because the fog lifted, but because she trusted the land was there.
Our “shore” is real, even when we can’t see it yet.
Encouragement to Persevere
Here’s what we can hold on to: God sees every moment of our quiet, faithful service. Hebrews 6:10 assures us that He will not forget the love and work we’ve shown for His name.
And we’re not left to endure on our own. Jesus Himself understands what it feels like to be weary. He poured Himself out day after day, often without earthly recognition or reward. Yet He pressed on—not to earn the Father’s love, but because He already had it.
The Lord’s perseverance shows us that we can keep going too, drawing strength from our relationship with God rather than relying on fleeting applause or quick results.
Paul’s words encourage us as well:
- “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
- “Hold fast to the word of life…that I may rejoice…that I have not run in vain or labored in vain” (Philippians 2:16).
Like a plant stretching toward sunlight, we can “grow toward the Son”—staying rooted in prayer, Scripture, and worship so His truth, not our doubts, nourishes us.
Practical Ways to Stay Strong
✅ Pray daily for fresh strength and perspective.
✅ Celebrate small victories and trust God for results you can’t yet see.
✅ Anchor yourself in Scripture when lies and doubts whisper that your work doesn’t matter.
✅ Lean on community: allow others to help you carry your burdens (Galatians 6:2).
✅ Remember your “why”: you’re serving the Lord, not chasing applause.
Key Takeaway
No matter what season you’re in—planting, waiting, or harvesting—your faithful work is never wasted. God sees every prayer, act of kindness, and step of obedience. Stay close to Him, trust His timing, and don’t give up. The harvest is coming.
The Shore Is Ahead
Whether your current season feels dry, delayed, or demanding, Galatians 6:9 reminds us that the story isn’t over: “In due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
Even if you can’t see the “land” ahead, it’s there. Keep swimming. Keep sowing. Keep trusting. The Lord of the harvest is faithful, and He promises that none of your work done in Him is ever in vain.
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for seeing every unseen act of love and every seed of faith we plant. Renew our strength when we feel tired or discouraged. Help us to grow closer to You, trust Your timing, and keep going in every season, knowing that our harvest is sure in Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Recommended Resource
When you’re feeling weary and tempted to quit, Don’t Give Up by Kyle Idleman offers hope and practical encouragement.
Drawing from Scripture and relatable stories, this book will help you trust God’s timing, find renewed strength in His promises, and keep moving forward even when life feels overwhelming.
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Don’t Give Up: Faith That Gives You the Confidence to Keep Believing and the Courage to Keep Going
By Kyle Idleman If you’re feeling weary and ready to quit, this book will lift your spirit and renew your faith. Kyle Idleman shares powerful, Scripture-based encouragement to help you trust God’s timing, find strength in His promises, and keep moving forward—even when life feels overwhelming. |