Don’t Settle for Less Than God’s Best

In Galatians 6:9 I'm reminded, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (NIV)

When I go through delays in life, don’t get discouraged. Don’t lose heart and don’t give up! 

The Israelites did, and it delayed their entrance into the Promised Land. 

Numbers 14:2-4 says, “All the Israelites grumbled against Moses . . . ‘If only we had died in Egypt! . . . We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt” (NIV). They gave up on their dream. They had been rescued after 400 years of slavery but then wanted to go back because they were being delayed. 

Like the Israelites, some people would rather live in slavery than face the fear of freedom. They are not willing to push through and work on the problem until they get it right. They want to give up. They settle for mediocrity in life.

Don’t settle for less than God’s best! If it means going through a tunnel of conflict, take it. In the middle of the tunnel, it will be dark, and I may even find myself wanting to run back to the light. But I’ve got to keep going until I come out on the other side into the light.

Instead of getting discouraged, learn to be persistent and pray. 

Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (NIV).

This is the law of the harvest: There is always a delay between sowing and reaping. You plant in one season, and you reap in another. God wants to see if I’m going to keep cultivating, planting, and sowing. If he sees consistency in my life, then the harvest will come. But it won’t come immediately, because if it did, there would be no chance for my character to grow or for my faith to be stretched. 

Luke 18:1 tells us that we “must always pray and never lose heart” (PHILLIPS).

I have two options in life: Pray continually, or lose heart. I will always be doing one or the other. If I pray continually, I will not be discouraged. If I don’t pray continually, I will lose heart. I will get discouraged by the problems I’m facing—whether they’re at work or at school or in my family. To stay encouraged, I‘ve got to keep on praying!

What do I pray for during the delay phases of life? Pray, “Help me hold on and not give up.” God will hear, and he will help. I am not alone, so I don’t have to get discouraged, even when I’m delayed.

It can be discouraging to continue to do right and receive no word of thanks or see any tangible results. Paul challenged the Galatians and myself, to keep on doing good and to trust God for the results. In due time, I will reap a harvest of blessings.

If things aren't’ happening on my timetable, it doesn't mean I should give up. I need to be diligent and have endurance. God provides encouragement, he knew what I would need today and provided it. So while the tunnel may seem dark, there is always light at the end. Perhaps it's right around the corner. I need to remind myself that I am known and loved by God. I have a purpose that only I can fulfill. Don't give in to the doubts that the enemy tries to fill my mind with. Don't give up, look to him for he will never give up on me.