“Let us not grow weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart,” Galatians 6:9.
Paul is writing to the Galatians who might have been facing opposition or discouragement in their faith, so Paul reminds them to stay steadfast in doing good for all people. Christian should not become discouraged or tired from performing acts of kindness and good deeds, even when they might not see immediate results. We can not give up or say something is unrewarding and tiring, or that it doesn’t give meaning to life. As a born-again believer we are to practice perseverance where we do not give up on doing what is right in the presence of God and humanity. Your blessings come from consistently doing good deeds. This is why today’s verse serves as a motivator to continue acting righteously—serving others and knowing that our efforts will not be in vain. In due time, in the right season, you will reap the rewards of your perseverance. Serving others encourages continued faithfulness. We must do good despite challenges or setbacks because our season of receiving will come in the timing of God. You will know it.
Learned helplessness is a psychological state where an individual feels unable to control or change their situation, even when opportunities to do so exist. This often results in repeated exposure to uncontrollable stress, helplessness, lack of motivation, anxiety, low self-esteem, a life of no impact, and having the mindset that nothing I do matters. This leads to negative situations that we cannot escape or stop. We have the mindset of having no control over what happens to us. Learned helplessness is a state that occurs after a person has repeatedly experienced a stressful situation where they now believe that they cannot control or change. They do not even try, even when opportunities for change are available. Learned helplessness leads to increased feelings of stress and depression. For some people, it links with post-traumatic streets disorder (PTSD).
How do we avoid learned helplessness? We improve our lives by doing good and not focusing on: “Nothing I do matters.”
Be patient: Trust in the Lord and do His will. This is rewarding all by itself. But when we are patient and faithful to the call of God, we stand to receive God’s grace. That is the reward. Understand that positive change takes time and perseverance. This is why we should look for ways to contribute to the well-being of others in our community.
“They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint,” Isaiah 40:31.
Reflect on your motivations. Examine whether your actions are driven by a genuine desire to do good or by seeking external validation. Remember the promise of future reward comes from striving to do good.
