Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16, NKJV

It was fifteen minutes prior to kicking off the third day of Vacation Bible School, but there were already a couple dozen early-bird attendees patiently waiting in the gym.  Without much thought, I yelled "Freeeeeze tag!"  And so ensued a seemingly endless cycle of chasing and tagging.  Children's ministry isn't for the faint of heart...literally!  It was only fifteen minutes, but fatigue set in quickly.  Do you know what that's like?  Giving your all and growing weary in the process?  I'm not just talking about losing your breath from a spontaneous burst of cardio activity.  I'm talking about losing heart.  This can happen to all of us -- whether physically or relationally, in marriage or in ministry, in whatever involves a high level of hope or requires enduring effort.  Whenever we lean in, there's always a possibility that at some point we'll lose heart.  The New Testament uses a particular term to refer to this kind of weariness only a handful of times, and in each instance we can become more aware of the ways this fatigue shows up in our lives and the ways we can overcome it too.

LOSING HEART IN PRAYER

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart... Luke 18:1, NKJV

Jesus' parable in Luke 18:1-8 highlights the all-too familiar feeling that our prayers are unheard.  When it seems as though our prayers fall upon deaf ears, we may be tempted to throw in the towel, but Jesus' invites us to "always pray and not give up" (Lk. 18:1, NIV).  Think about that invitation.  In the mind of Jesus, not giving up is equated with the experience of always praying.  While much more could be said about the specific nuances of this parable, the bottom line is that even if unanswered prayer may inspire spiritual fatigue in the first place, it's actually perseverance in prayer that keeps us from losing heart altogether.  It's natural for us to fret over an apparent absence of divine intervention in our lives, but verse 8 points out that God is more interested in making sure there's not an absence of faith in our lives -- "[W]hen the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?"  

Persistent prayer may not always change our circumstances, but through it God will undoubtedly change our hearts.

LOSING HEART IN PAIN

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16, NKJV

In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul is very open about the persecution he has endured for the sake of the gospel.   Not all of us can completely relate to that specific type of opposition, but we can all relate to feeling some sort of pain that chips away at us outwardly.  It may be in the form of antagonism that hurts our reputation, a surprise diagnosis of declining health, even the trauma of an unforeseen accident or intentional abuse.  

While that pain may be devastating, it doesn't have to be defining.  

According to Paul, we may very well be perishing outwardly, but inwardly we can be renewed day after day.  How?  By framing our present affliction in the grand scheme of eternity.   When we set our minds on the promised things that are unseen rather than the painful things that are seen, we can count our present affliction as light and momentary compared to our eternal weight of glory in the life to come (2 Cor. 4:17).

LOSING HEART IN FUTILITY

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.  Galatians 6:9, NKJV

There's always a gap between the time a farmer sows and the time that farmer eventually reaps a harvest.  Paul applies this analogy to our efforts of sowing to the Spirit (Gal. 6:8), actively doing good for others rather than directing our energies toward self.  But in that waiting period between sowing and reaping, it's natural for us to wonder if all our effort to do good will actually produce much good in the end.  When we don't see the outcomes or results we want to see, we can jump to the wrong conclusion that a harvest is never coming and subsequently withdraw our hands from sowing at all.  In another place, Paul warns against the idleness that comes less from discouragement and more from expecting others to do the work they themselves could be doing (cf. 2 Thes. 3:6-12).  In either case, whether we feel like our efforts are futile or we selfishly prefer laziness over faithfulness, Paul wants us to be certain that the harvest is coming, that

our persistent and even quiet (2 Thes. 3:13) efforts to do good for others are like seeds that will surely bear fruit.  

Your friend hasn't accepted your invitation to church...yet.  That Bible study hasn't resulted in a decision for Christ...yet.  Your kindness hasn't won confidence...yet.  But "in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart" (Gal. 6:9).

LOSING HEART IN WORRY

Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. Ephesians 3:13, NKJV

In this passage, Paul exhorts the Ephesians to "not lose heart" at HIS tribulation, not their own.  It's as if the news of his troubles, stirred an anticipation of tribulation and persecution that would inevitably come their way.  While that worry may have been valid, Paul doesn't want it to be debilitating.  As we discern the unfolding of prophecy in our day, we're not immune to borrowing trouble like the Ephesians.  

But instead of losing heart about what may lie ahead, may I suggest we pray for ourselves what Paul prayed for the Ephesians?  

When worry about the future tries to unsettle our hearts, we can pray for a heart that is "strengthened with might through His Spirit" (Eph. 3:16) and a heart that stays rooted and grounded in the love of God.  Instead of letting future unknowns take our thoughts captive, we can pray to know the full dimensions of Christ's infinite love (v. 18).

Which of these passages about losing heart resonates most with you today?  If we find ourselves faint or fatigued, let's keep praying in faith and keep perspective on eternal things.  If we're waiting for a fruitful harvest or worried about what's in the future, let's keep doing good and keep rooted in God's agape love.