Do you ever just want to give in and give up?
Give in to things like glancing at your facebook feed every few minutes in hopes that someone has noticed your post and likes it. Give in to eating the ice cream sandwich and half of the box of Cheez Its just because it taste so, so GOOD. If we’re honest I think we all catch the “give in” mentality when life gets a little out of sorts. I have! It’s like taking a mini vacation from responsibility and throwing our grown up routine out the window. We think, “FREEDOM!”, but we often find “decay and death” instead.
The problem with “giving in” is that what we give in to, tends to control who we become.
When no one likes my facebook post I begin to question my worth and I become more insecure. Human approval never satisfies my desire to be fully loved, accepted and known. Ice cream and Cheez Its are amazing until I can’t get enough and I keep going back for more. They do not contain the nutrients I need to be satisfied, they only create a stronger craving for more. I may find myself a few pounds heavier, tired and empty inside with nothing to give.
Giving up on doing good NEVER results in freedom; it results in guilt, decay and a deeper longing for more.
It’s not about following the “do good” rules of life or being perfect either. Trying to always live a flawless life will lead to failure, isolation, and frustration. It comes down to listening to the right voice. What is the deep “knowing” that you feel inside, that you just can’t get away from? We all have that inner voice. The one that gently reminds us of whose we are. The one that is tugging at our hearts to rest in the silence and listen. The one that knows us better than we know ourselves and longs for us to hear Him and know Him more.
“So don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.” Galatians 6:9 Isn’t that what happens?
We get tired when we do not see the tangible results of our efforts and we figure it’s just not worth the sacrifices anymore. Funny thing is that we want results yesterday for what we are doing today, yet the reward is in the waiting. It’s in the pattern of “doing good” consistently when the desire is long gone.
In order for me NOT to give in to discouragement I have to focus on the ONE who promises that there is a reward, a blessing for not “giving in”. I have to focus on the ONE who is cheering me on, the ONE who is stretching me in my consistency and longing for me to KNOW HIM – more than my desire to see results. Only remaining in Him will bring the “harvest of blessing” that he promises to each of us.
Lasting fulfilment comes from relationship, not from achievement.
“Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death.” Galatians 6:8 When I try to satisfy my deepest longings with things that I crave from this world, I begin the process of rotting away on the inside; decay settles in. Only focusing on and growing in a relationship with Jesus – the one who gives life – will stop the decay.
My prayer for each of us who are yearning to “give in” today: “We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy….” Colossians 1:11
