WRITTEN BY DR. JIM GRASSI
When we grow tired and weary, it’s tempting to give up, particularly during midlife—or midbattle. We’ve seen this in boxing: The boxer becomes mentally defeated. In the 1997 rematch between Oliver McCall and Lennox Lewis, McCall dominated the early rounds but began to act erratically after the third, refusing to go to his corner and wandering around the ring with no interest in fighting.
In 2009, Victor Ortiz and Marco Maidana thrilled spectators with a brutal back-and-forth battle. After getting really busted up, including a cut and a closed eye, Ortiz grew frustrated. The ringside physician stopped the fight, but Ortiz later confirmed he’d quit. He just didn’t want to be beaten up anymore.
Isn’t that the way with life sometimes? We just tire of “getting beaten up.” Maybe we think no matter what we do, it’ll never be good enough or no matter how hard we work, we can’t get ahead—or even make a difference. So what’s the point of trying? This is apathy, one of the most dangerous traps of midlife.
When we have not attained our lofty goals, have lost abilities we once took for granted, have already passed our “glory days,” and see only failure or mediocracy in the future, we ask ourselves, “Why bother?” We reason that it’s more sensible to just relax and make the best of things as they are. But God doesn’t want us to be apathetic about the things of eternity. He warned the Laodicean believers:
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16).
Apathy is the opposite of zeal, and God indicated that even being cold toward the things of God is better than being lukewarm! The antidote is a spirit of thankfulness, attitude of perseverance, and eternal perspective—because it shapes what we value and fight for. In midlife, we can become weary in loving and serving others—and just managing the duties of living—but we cannot give up.
“Let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary” (Galatians 6:9).
We lose heart for the battles of life when we focus on what might have been or failures of the past. We waste our energy complaining and feeling sorry for ourselves and let our self-discipline and spiritual training slip away. Being firm in our commitment to holiness is a determination we must continually make throughout our lives.
When we resolve in our hearts, like Daniel, to press on, regardless of circumstances or any evident results, we become more like a well-trained boxer, aiming his punches and making them count (Daniel 6). Like Paul, we persevere despite the trials of life.
“Therefore I run in such a way as not to run aimlessly; I box in such a way, as to avoid hitting air” (1 Corinthians 9:26).
He wasn’t “running the race” for some tangible, earthy trophy or treasure. His focus was on an eternal, imperishable prize. That is the perspective that will keep us going.
Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:24-25
Personal Application: What prize are you fighting for? When have you sensed the apathy trap closing in? This week, with your mentoring partner, brainstorm ways to spur each other on—and out of the apathy trap.
- Taken in part from Finishing Well, Finishing Strong by Jim Grassi, D. Min.
Jim Grassi, D. Min.
We cherish any verse in Scripture that reminds us to keep focused and intentional about evangelism and discipleship. “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5