LOSING HEART?

Losing Heart

 

Recently a friend visited with an old friend and fellow-soldier in the faith. Years ago they had dared to believe God could and would use us to do the “impossible” for His glory. And He did! But in this friend’s recent visit with him, the old fire was gone. The “can do” spirit had dried up into a morose preoccupation with past disappointments. I was reminded of the fact that more people quit ministering to others over bitterness than any other reason.

In thinking about this story I discovered seven reasons the Scriptures give as to why people grow weary and lose heart – all stemming from the little Greek word, egkakeo. Basically the word describes a person who no longer is living life in step with the Spirit. Rather, he has grown selfish and self-contained, exhibiting little concern for others. Here are the seven reasons :

1. A failure to maintain a vital life of prayer — And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;  Luke 18:1

2. A failure to keep in mind the privilege of our divine calling to witness to others — Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;  2 Cor 4:1

3. A failure to keep in mind the fact that we will share in Christ’s triumphant resurrection — Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.  2 Cor 4:14

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.  2 Cor 4:16

4. A failure to keep in mind the immediate task of promoting believers’ spiritual welfare and the glory of God — For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 2 Cor 4:15

5. A failure to take the long view in reaping the fruit of our efforts — And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Gal 6:9

6. A failure to trust that God has a larger purpose when fellow believers suffer — Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. Eph 3:13

7. A failure to press on in righteous living, even when you don’t feel like it —  But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.  2 Thess 3:13

So, let us ask ourselves this question: Do we still have that spring in our step? Do we still look forward to getting up in the morning and getting at it for God? Or has the dry rot of self-centeredness set in?

No, you are better than that! As His children, let’s once again take ourselves by the nap of the neck and: Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.  1 Cor 15:58