On Plucking Wild Hairs and Growing Weary

May I ask something of all you hormonal and menopausal women? Do you ever have little hairs growing out of the top of your nose? Not the black ones coming out of your nostrils (that’s totally disgusting). I’m talking about the ones growing on top of your nose, that you happen to see in the magnified view of your make-up mirror. It’s so blonde it’s almost invisible and it looks ten feet long, yet it’s only 1/1000 of an inch. So you pluck it. I mean, really, we can’t have these things growing wild, can we?? So we pluck and it grows and we pluck some more.

Admit it! You know what I’m talking about…don’t make me call you by name!

It reminds me of the scripture “Never grow tired of doing good…”

I know what you’re thinking: A wild hair growing on her nose reminds her of a SCRIPTURE? Yes, it does. I pluck and pluck and pluck at that hair. And it keeps growing back. I will continue to pluck that little hair until you pry the tweezers from my cold, dead hand. I don’t want it on my face. So I persevere.

But doing good? Not so much. I give up. I get tired and say “I’ve done all I can – it’s up to them now.” And worse still, I cop an attitude. “Well, if they won’t try to help themselves, I’m not going to help them. Why should I? What’s the use of being so kind and generous?”

Even worser (is that a word?), I do good, expecting something in return. My thoughts run like this: What has that person ever done for me? No “Thank you,” no nothing! Why should I keep trying and trying, when obviously my attempts are hopeless and futile?” Yes, when I don’t get what I am expecting, I give up.

That’s my wild hair attitude. It’s a throw-my-hands-in-the-air-I-give-up attitude. Have you ever been there? Oh, so very tired of trying. Weary of doing good. Wondering (if I may be brutally honest) when someone will notice all your service. Wondering when it would be your turn to be served? I hate to admit it, but I’ve wondered these things. Why keep doing all the good, when it may never be reciprocated?

Why? Because God said so. And because my attitude is directly against God’s will. Scripture is very clear on this:

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Galations 6:9 NLT

So, how do we continue doing good, and not grow weary? Good question.

Here are a few pointers I’ve learned over the years:
1. Check your heart motive. If the good you are doing is for the blessing or acknowledgement alone, you will grow weary. You must be serving out of an overflow of love in your heart – Christ’s love. Serve with a pure heart.

2. Are you working in your own strength? If so, you will become weary. Work in the power of God’s Holy Spirit. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would help, comfort and guide us (John 14:16). Pray and ask for His help. Tap into Holy Spirit power in your serving.

3. Are you discouraged in your service? Are you wondering if you are making any difference at all? Discouragement and doubt can dampen your spirit and make you weary. But remember this: No effort you make in this life – no matter how small – is ever wasted:

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 NASB

And the promise if we DON’T grow weary: we will reap a harvest of blessing! You may be surprised at the blessings. I’ve seen relationships healed, unbelieving spouses come to saving faith in Jesus and marriages restored, all because someone never gave up. Someone never got tired of doing good.

Let’s be that someone today! Keep plucking!

Grace be with you,