What Camping Revealed About Weariness
As a military family, we’ve spent most of our lives stationed far from extended relatives. Our kids know their aunts, uncles, and cousins mostly through phone calls and holiday visits. But as they grow older, we’ve realized how valuable it is to live near family. So, when we moved back to this area, we were genuinely excited to reconnect with some of them.
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After a full-throttle month of July, we took a few days off in early August to go camping with my sister-in-law and her family. And while camping definitely has its own set of stressors (hello, forgotten supplies and campfire smoke in your eyes), it was the reset we didn’t know we needed. I realized just how empty my tank was—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. And honestly, so were the kids’. We needed this time together.
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And it got me thinking as we head into the Fall when things with work and school pick up and quickly become busy…
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Have you ever felt so drained from work, parenting, or life in general that you wondered how you could possibly keep going?
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Maybe you’ve spent months (or years) working toward a goal, only to find yourself running on fumes the moment it finally arrives. Maybe you’re in survival mode while your spouse is deployed or working long hours. Maybe you’re just worn thin from pouring into others without having anyone pour into you.
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Whatever it is—you’re not alone. We all reach those moments where quitting feels like the easiest option.
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Paul speaks directly to this kind of weariness in his letter to the Galatians:
Galatians 6:9
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
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The Greek word translated “weary” refers to more than just being tired. It’s a deep discouragement—mental, emotional, physical exhaustion that makes you want to give up. But Paul encourages us: there’s a harvest coming. The fruit will grow, even if we can’t see it yet.
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Earlier in the same letter, Paul lists the Fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are the outcomes of a life lived walking with the Spirit, and every small, faithful act of goodness you plant today contributes to that harvest. So, while we may be tired now even just one small act in the fruit contributes to the Kingdom. One small act of kindness or love to the stranger can plant a seed that eventually may grow into something beautiful.
God Works in Eternal Time
We live in a culture of instant gratification. Same-day shipping, instant downloads, and quick “google-able” answers condition us to expect everything now. But there are still areas of life—pregnancy, gardening, healing—that require us to slow down, wait, and trust.
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I think it’s healthy to exercise other ways to grow your patience and trust. It is a struggle, but I find ways to increase my ability to be patient. Sometimes, that means choosing the longer line at the grocery store, staying in the slow lane (especially when I just want to be there already!), or selecting the recipe that will take longer to prepare. It’s not easy and I challenge you to do the same to actively slow down and practice patience.
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Galatians 6:9 challenges our nature for the quick fix. It reminds us that God isn’t working on a 2-day delivery schedule—He’s working on eternal time. And every seed we plant in faith is woven into His bigger plan.
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It’s easy to show love to people who are kind to us. It’s a lot harder to extend kindness to the coworker who takes credit for your work, the neighbor who never waves back, or the person who cut you off in traffic.
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But here’s the good news: God sees it all. He knows our limits and offers strength to endure. And He promises—your efforts will not be wasted.
If You’re Feeling Weary or Worn Down, Try This:
- Schedule real rest: Just like muscles need recovery days, your soul needs rest too. Make space for rest—whether that’s a camping trip, a quiet walk, or an intentional day of doing nothing.
- Celebrate small wins:Â Each week, write down 3 things that went well. Little victories are still victories. i.e.) I accomplished my workout goal this week. I learned to bake a new loaf of bread. My kids brought me flowers from the garden. Etc. etc.
- Break it down:Â Big projects (and big callings) are less intimidating when broken into manageable steps.
- Create a perseverance plan: Keep a list of go-to scriptures, songs, or prayers—truths you can return to when the going gets tough. Galatians 6:9 is a great place to start.
- Find your people:Â Surround yourself with others who encourage you, pray with you, and speak life into your hard days.
- Share your story:Â Your perseverance might be the inspiration someone else desperately needs. Your fruit can feed others.
In this busy, beautiful, and often exhausting life, it’s so easy to grow weary in the good work. There are dozens of verses in the Bible that target this very topic, because God knew that it would be something we would struggle with. Galatians 6:9 reminds us that God is faithful, and the seeds we plant in obedience will produce fruit—in His time.
So today, if your cup feels empty or your efforts unnoticed, I hope you’ll lean into this truth: you are not alone, and your work matters. Keep showing up, one small act of goodness at a time. There’s a harvest on the horizon.
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Until next time, friends. Be blessed.
