Woman to Woman: Overcoming Weariness

Reluctantly, I admit despite the exhortation in Galatians 6:9, I grow weary in well-doing. Helping others, investing in the Kingdom of God, and committing time to my own spiritual growth brings a deep joy to my soul.

During one of my times of stillness, I recall lamenting a particular battle I faced on a basis more regular than I desired. Earnestly seeking God’s wisdom, along with a petition for relief yielded an unexpected answer.

Overcoming weariness in well-doing involved understanding the exact purpose of well-doing in my life. “Well-doing” in the Christian’s life nuances works of service, attention to personal spiritual growth as well as instruction to the saints, and obedience to God and His call on our lives.

But an often-overlooked area of well-doing involves enduring hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (2 Timothy 2:3) Though the sufficiency of God’s grace abounds in every situation, it does not, however, exempt us from enduring hardness.

Grasping a fuller understanding of well-doing in my Christian life helped me gain the proper perspective on my daily spiritual battles. Enduring hardness as a good soldier, is well-doing.

If we engage in works of service, attention to personal spiritual growth, and obedience to God’s call on our lives, hardness in the form of trials, fleshly revolts, and attacks from the enemy of our souls is inevitable.

Recognition of these truths moved me into position for cultivating much needed fortitude, meekness and patience. Though seemingly unrelated, these three “virtues” boast an inter-dependence which remains as strong as a three-fold cord.

Fortitude

A simple definition of fortitude according to the Webster’s 1828 dictionary is, “That strength or firmness of mind or soul which enables a person to encounter danger with coolness and courage, or to bear pain or adversity without murmuring, depression or despondency.“

Steadfastness. True fortitude focuses on the goals and sees difficulties through to the end.

Resolve. True fortitude stays the course regardless of obstacles, without complaint, melancholy or loss of faith.

Patience

Today’s culture often views patience simply as a stance we take upon waiting for an outcome or answer. But Webster’s 1828 dictionary gives a fuller definition: “The suffering of afflictions, pain, toil, calamity, provocation or other evil, with a calm, unruffled temper; endurance without murmuring or fretfulness.” Webster further adds the nuance, “patience may spring from constitutional fortitude, or from Christian submission to the divine will.

Self-discipline. True patience is a steady, calm influence maintaining equanimity in the face of difficulty, which avoids anger or excessive sadness.

Commitment. True patience remains steadily and contentedly committed to the faith, trusting in the truth of God’s Word.

Meekness

No other word boasts more misunderstanding than the word, “meekness”.

Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines meekness as follows: “Softness of temper; mildness; gentleness; forbearance under injuries and provocations.” Adding the clarification statement, “humility; resignation; submission to the divine will, without murmuring or peevishness; opposed to pride, arrogance and refractoriness.“

Power. True meekness mitigates anger with gentleness, maintaining authority over pride and selfish ambition.

Submission. True meekness willingly, cheerfully and peacefully submits to God, trusting Him fully with any injustice.

A cursory glance through the definitions of fortitude, patience and meekness, reveals their commonality and connection. But a deeper scrutiny unveils their inter-dependence.

All three words display tremendous strength; bound together, they possess an invincible force for the Christian.

Fortitude imbues us with the courage to face hardness, its steadfastness and resolve find endurance through the self-discipline and commitment of patience. Meekness brings the fire of fortitude under submission to the divine will, guarding it from selfish ambition. Empowering both the courage of fortitude and the commitment of patience with the settled joy of God’s sovereignty and justice.

Overcoming weariness in well-doing results from willing submission to the Holy Spirit’s work in cultivating this threefold cord, as a means for trusting God with the results of our works of service, spiritual growth, and obedience to His call on our life, while enduring the hardness of trials and spiritual attacks bravely without complaint or discontent.

Reflection:

Where do you struggle most with growing weary in well-doing?

Wat one area can you begin to work on today?