5 Reasons To Do Good When You Don’t Want To

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I'm going to be perfectly honest with you, some days I just don't want to do good. Seriously, some days I just want to give in to my mood and do nothing.

I’m going to be perfectly honest with you, some days I just don’t want to do good.

Seriously, don’t you have days when it’s all you can do to try to avoid the don’ts?

  • Don’t covet.
  • Don’t gossip.
  • Don’t waste.
  • Don’t judge.
  • Don’t worry.

So, those mornings when I get out of bed and there is simply not enough coffee to turn my mood around . . . I need help.

The truth is people can be difficult and there are times when life is just plain hard.

Today:

You may be in the middle of a broken relationship or a health crisis. Your work situation may be more than a little discouraging or your neighbor may be stomping on your last nerve. You may just be in the middle of parenting challenges that are wreaking your emotions. And you’re exhausted!

Wait! Before you give in to discouragement and give up, there is hope!

Praise God. There is always hope and with Him, there is always help.

5 Reasons To Do Good When You Don’t Want To

1. It’s God’s Will

Throughout the Old and New Testaments, God talks about people doing good. It’s important to Him. And as a loving Father, He doesn’t send us out without instructions. Repeatedly, God tells His people what doing good looks like.

Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. Isaiah 1:17

Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. 1 Thessalonians 5:14

I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was alone and away from home, and you invited me into your house. Matthew 25:35

You don’t have to change the world. God put you where you are for a reason.

2. It’s God’s Plan for You

One of the ways God shows us His love is through people helping each other. People doing good is part of His plan to show Himself active in the world.

God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to live our lives doing. Ephesians 2:10

3. It’s God’s Purpose for You

The fourth purpose in The Purpose Driven Life, by Pastor Rick Warren, is You were shaped to serve God. He created you for a purpose and God’s purposes always include loving people. You are wired exactly the way He wanted for this place and time and for the people He has placed around you.

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in His steps. 1 Peter 2:21

4. It’s God’s Recipe for Happiness

There is something in us, I think it’s God’s wiring, that makes us happy when we do something that blesses others. Making someone else happy bounces back and makes us happy too.

For the Scriptures say,

“If you want to enjoy life
    and see many happy days,
keep your tongue from speaking evil
    and your lips from telling lies.
Turn away from evil and do good.
    Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
1 Peter 3:10–11

5. It’s God’s Way to Defeat Evil

God uses good to defeat evil. If you’re tired of all the junk out there . . . do something about it. Do something good! When people are being cruel, say something kind. Support a ministry that’s fighting for humanitarian causes. Stand up against injustice. Whatever or wherever God leads you. He created you to defeat evil with good.

Do not let evil defeat you, but defeat evil by doing good. Romans 12:21

Those are the reasons behind doing good, but if all I’ve done is add guilt to your exhaustion…

Stop!

God loves you and His desire for you is trust and obedience, not guilt.

So, stick with me…

You can do good even when you’re exhausted, it’s doable and I promise it will bless you.

Do Good Right Where You Are!

You don’t have to find a huge project and change the world. God put you where you are for a reason.

Just get out of bed and do what you were going to do anyway.

I'm going to be perfectly honest with you, some days I just don't want to do good. Seriously, some days I just want to give in to my mood and do nothing. But...

Take a deep breath, pray, and then get out there and love.

1. Serve your family.

There is good in doing laundry, wiping noses, preparing meals, and yes, even in changing diapers.

“In the family, happiness is in the ratio in which each is serving the others, seeking one another’s good, and bearing one another’s burdens.” ~Henry War Beecher

2. Serve your employer and coworkers.

Do your job to the best of your ability with a positive attitude.

“When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another.” ~Helen Keller

3. Serve everyone with simple kindness.

This isn’t as hard as it sounds. Just be nice. See people and smile. Speak with kindness. Just be nice. Be the voice of encouragement on social media. Show people God’s love.

“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” ~Desmond Tutu

Finally…

4. Serve by finding your passion.

You don’t have to say ‘yes’ to every need. God has given you a passion for something . . . children, the poor, the homeless, the elderly, etc. What is it that makes your heart beat faster? Start praying about specific ways God might use you to do good through your passion.

“Your passion becomes your legacy when you serve others, being who you are, doing what you love.” ~Anonymous

It sounds so easy, doesn’t it?

I know it’s not. But with God’s help, it is possible.

Just be willing. Get out of bed and do good today. Then, with His help get up and do it again tomorrow.

Trust God’s plans and purposes and let Him use you to show people His love.

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12 Comments

  1. We need this encouragement to serve, Deb. So often I get caught up in my own stuff — it’s good to be reminded that I’m here on this planet for God’s purposes!

    1. Me too, Michele! I always love the saying, “bloom where you are planted.” I want to remember to watch for God’s nudges and serve right where I am. Small things might mean a lot to the person who receives them. Blessings to you, my friend!

  2. Deb, such a good reminder that we can do good right where we are. So often we keep looking for a “big” opportunity and we miss the ones God puts before us each day. I am so grateful He not only gives us opportunities to serve but also shows us how to serve.

    1. I agree, Joanne. It’s easy to say ‘yes’ to every big project or feel like we’re not doing enough. I’m praying to remember that maintaining a good attitude might just be one of the best ways to do good and bless the people around me. Have a blessing-filled day!

  3. Ironically, Deb, this is one of those days when I wasn’t sure I would be able to “do good” as one of my eyes is giving me fits. But I decided to take aspirin and muddle through the best I can.
    Thanks so much for the encouragement today!
    Blessings!

  4. Another great post today, Deb!
    Makes me think of Elizabeth Elliot and her constant reminder to, “Do the next thing.”
    Hope you have a blessed day~

  5. I loved this post, Deb. Yes, we were created to do good. It’s God’s plan for us. We don’t have to be capable. We just need to be willing. God will do the rest.

  6. What a great, encouraging post, Deb! I love that you gave a list of reasons to do good and THEN gave ways to apply it! Pinning for sure!

  7. Love this, Deb! It’s so important to be the hands and feet of Jesus … even when we don’t feel like it.

  8. Deb- as always, your posts are so full of wisdom and encouragement! It’s so important to act based on what we know versus how we feel isn’t it?/ Thank you for this wisdom today friend!

  9. There have been times when getting out of my own head and doing something kind really helped me and gave me perspective. It seems like those times where we really don’t want to are the most important ones!

  10. Deb,
    I love how you said that doing something to make someone else happy kind of bounces off them and makes you happy in return! It is so true. It always make me feel better when I can brighten someone’s day.
    So many good points here, Deb!
    Blessings and smiles,
    Lori