“At the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 NIV
“When you feel like quitting is rarely the right time to do so.”
If you do not give up! That’s a pretty big if, isn’t it? Everybody gets tired, tired of doing the same thing, tired of doing the right thing, tired of seeing little or no change, tired of waiting for something that doesn’t come. I have found that when I am tired – physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually – I am vulnerable to making poor decisions. “Fatigue makes cowards of us all.” Vince Lombardi, famed coach of Green Bay Packers 1958-1967.
There will be times when you feel like quitting. That is rarely if ever the right time to do so, or the right reason to do so. The wisest thing to do at such times is to work through your feelings until you can make a rational and wiser decision. A good rule at such times is: it’s always too soon to quit.
Children give up on believing after too many broken promises. People give up on their dreams when the work grows hard. College students may give up on school when money is scarce or studies demanding. People give up on a friend. Employees give up on a job. Couples give up on their marriage. Parents may give up on a troublesome son or daughter. People give up on prayer. Christians give up on God, or church.
People give up on a lot of things at a lot of times, for a lot of reasons. But that is rarely in your best interest to do so. If you give up before you should, you will usually have regrets later. There is an old saying that seems applicable here, “Act in haste; repent at leisure.” When you speak or act hastily from feeling drained emotionally or weary mentally, you will have plenty of time for regret. Haven’t you found that true?
I think you are most tempted to quit when you lose patience, and that happens when you lose hope. The answer that I have found to both patience and hope is this. First, commit yourself to doing what’s right on all occasions and in all situations. Not because it “works,” but because it’s right! The result of your doing right is not easily judged today; the result of your obedience leave to God.
Secondly, take time to know what is right to do in your present circumstance. Here are some practical steps to successfully accomplish that. Be acquainted with God’s Word (See 2 Timothy 2:15/3:16-17 NAS); learn from past experiences – good and bad, yours and others’; invite counsel from a parent, trusted friend, or mentor (See Proverbs 11:14 NKJV); and silence your own inclinations and feelings, and quietly listen to the Holy Spirit speaking through your heart and conscience (Isaiah 30:21 NIV).
The Bible gives you excellent advice. “Do not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time you will reap a harvest if you do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:9-10 NIV.
My prayer for you today is to hold on to hope by keeping your eye on a harvest ahead.