Galatians 6:9
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
 
 
One of the greatest hindrances to Christian fruitfulness is burnout. By the way, what on earth is burnout? It is feeling empty, mentally exhausted, unmotivated and beyond caring. It’s a sense of spiritual weariness, fatigue and apathy. When you’re experiencing burnout, you know what you must do, but you lack the energy, drive and motivation to do it. You just feel like giving up.
 
The possibility of experiencing burnout is real for every human being and every Christian under the sun-young and older. See Isaiah 40:30, where the Bible says even young men will grow weary. None of us is immune to the temptation to grow weary and give it all up. Even good, gifted, mightily anointed people like Prophet Elijah can suffer burnout (see 1 Kings 19).
 
So, how can we overcome burnout? Today we’ll consider just two ways drawn from today’s Scripture. Firstly, REFUSE TO GIVE UP. God’s Word today instructs and exhorts us NOT to grow weary. You and I must recognise burnout for what it is-a temptation to quit. Now that we’re aware of the fact that it’s a tempting condition, we don’t cooperate with it, but fight it. That’s the first principle.
 
Secondly, REMEMBER THAT YOUR REWARDS ARE CERTAIN. For the Bible says in due season we shall reap the rewards of our good works (on earth and in heaven) if we don’t give up. Beloveds, let me reassure you today that God is faithful. Great is His faithfulness. For every good deed you do, God rewards you. Your labour in the Lord is NEVER in vain (see 1 Corinthians 15:58).
 
Don’t expect your rewards from people. God is your Rewarder (see Hebrews 11:6). Observe also that God’s awesome rewards come in various forms. For instance, I’m sure because of the pandemic we’ve suffered over the last two years, you and I have come to appreciate such wonderful benefits of God as the ability to breathe freely. Now we know that every breath we breathe is a divine reward. When you’ve known the pain of losing your appetite and sense of taste, being able to taste and enjoy food is an amazing blessing.
 
Oh, how we have been taking the best things in life for granted! There are billionaires who would pay anything for the opportunity to once again enjoy the simple things in life-to be able to see nature’s beautiful vegetation, to be able to hear the sound of children’s laughter, to be able to smell the roses, to be able to think clearly, move independently, sleep soundly and to feel the warm embrace of loved ones. The list is endless.
 
Suffice it to say that God does reward us with incredible blessings more often that we know (see Psalms 103:1-4). And most of the earthly harvests we receive are infinitely greater than money. Above all, there are terrific heavenly rewards accumulating for us in glory. Our time now doesn’t allow us to delve into that in detail. But just remember that you and I have incredible rewards awaiting us in heaven that no eye has seen, no ear has heard and no mind has conceived (see 1 Corinthians 2:9).
 
For that reason, never give up. Don’t grow tired of doing good. When people don’t appreciate your efforts, never mind. When your motives are misunderstood, never mind. When you suffer adversity, never mind. Your labour is not in vain. Your life counts more that you’ll ever know. No good deed you’ve done has gone unnoticed in heaven. Bank on God’s faithfulness.
 
Pastor Josh