“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9
As another year begins, how many of us men plant a resolution flag for fitness, head to the gym on Monday, and expect to see results by the weekend? We live in a world of instant gratification, and we expect results. We don’t call people; we text. We don’t read the morning newspaper; the world news is available 24/7. Who drives to a store when Amazon drops the item at your doorstep within 24 hours? We don’t wait each week to view our favorite show’s episode; we binge the whole season over a weekend.
On the trail, the hardest section is rarely the beginning. Early steps are fueled by clarity, energy, and fresh resolve. The real test comes later, when the trail seems longer than we expected and progress feels slower than we hoped. This is where many men begin negotiating with perseverance.
If we head back to the gym for a minute, showing up three or four times a week, doing the same exercises on the same machines, going through the same routines, seeing the same people, consistency doesn’t feel like progress; it seems dull. We may not realize that during these moments, endurance is being built.
Intensity does not build steady men. They keep walking when the trail seems boring. They remain faithful when results lag behind effort. Over time, consistency does what enthusiasm never could—it builds strength that lasts beyond seasons of inspiration.
application
Being tired does not indicate failure; it is part of formation. Yet many men misinterpret fatigue as a signal to stop instead of a signal to steady their pace. On the trail, slowing down often preserves energy and strength better than quitting altogether. Galatians reminds us that harvest is tied not just to effort but to endurance.
Are we aware temptation increases in consistent seasons? Not temptation toward obvious sin, but toward disengagement. A man keeps showing up, keeps serving, keeps obeying—but visible fruit seems delayed. Discouragement whispers that the effort is wasted.
Perseverance and enthusiasm are quite different. Enthusiasm runs fast but fades quickly. Consistency walks slower but travels farther. The steady man trusts that unseen formation is happening beneath the surface.
Comparison also erodes perseverance. We watch others advance faster and make more progress, our progress feels insignificant. But the disciple’s trail is not graded on speed; it is shaped by faithfulness.
Consistency builds spiritual reflexes. Obedience becomes instinctive. Endurance becomes normal. The man who refuses to quit, develops strength capable of carrying responsibility, pressure, and leadership when those opportunities arrive later.
Live it out
Is there one area where weariness has tempted you to quit? Instead of quitting, adjust your pace and keep walking. Perseverance grows through continuation, not intensity. As you remain steady, strength forms beneath the surface. The trail may feel long, but progress is still happening. Refuse to measure growth by speed alone. Stay faithful. In time, what feels repetitive will produce resilience and strength.
pray this…
“Lord, help me to enjoy the trail, but keep me consistent when my enthusiasm runs low.”
Photo by Tom Jur on Unsplash
Download Print-Friendly version
Information lays the foundation—
Practice builds the man.
