“And let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”  Galatians 6:9

People sometimes call me the Energizer Bunny, but my husband can verify I’m not.  I need lots of sleep to fuel my enthusiasm!

We are all created to get physically tired.

In Galatians 6:9, Paul isn’t advising against this, but instead warning against growing weary of doing good, losing heart for what the Lord’s called you to, reaching a place of apathetic indifference, lacking enthusiasm or concern.  For me, that looks like a balloon after it’s been popped… totally flat.

I most experience this when I do things God hasn’t called me to do.  I see a need and my heart moves me to try and meet it. When I do, especially when this happens repeatedly, I end up drained.  

Or when I am doing what God wants me doing but not doing it the way He wants me to (like not taking breaks or remembering I have limits!) I can be in danger of burning out. 

Or ironically, when God calls me to do something but I choose not to, I can also grow weary of doing good as I start getting too comfortable.  (This is most likely to happen after I fall prey to the first two scenarios!)

It’s been estimated two-thirds of our weaknesses are our talents overused, underused or misused.  All too easily I can bounce from one to the other!

Even though the things God calls me to aren’t always easy and usually require me stretching out of my comfort zone, when I’m doing what I was designed to do in the way I was designed to as I follow Jesus, it’s amazing how this can energize and keep me going strong!

This is where the Clifton Strengths assessment is worth its weight in gold!  It helps identify the talents the Lord uniquely gives each person. Taking the assessment is only the beginning.  Being coached through results can help reveal how to better live these talents in daily work and life, so people are more engaged and less likely to burn out.

One of the hallmarks of Signature Talents are how they energize, bringing deep satisfaction and joy.  

Is it not incredible how this reflects the love of the Father?  He doesn’t only give talents so we can do good works He’s prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians  2:10) The Lord hand-fashions each of us so when we use the talents He’s given, the way He designed them to be used, it is like putting gas into our tanks!  

Joy is the fuel that keeps us persevering.  It not only produces smiles, it puts wind in our sails, spurring us on so we can live well, love well and last.  Joy is intricately connected with hope. Its presence is key for not growing weary!

Learning what my Signature Talents are so I can surrender them to the Lord and intentionally live within the boundaries He’s laid, is resulting in so much more joy in my life and proving key for me not growing weary in doing good!

When have you grown weary in doing good?

What helps you not give up?