Ifs, Buts, And The Struggle to Do Good

Ifs, Buts, and the Struggle to Do Good

My mother-in-law used to say, “If ifs and buts were candy and nuts, we’d all have a Merry Christmas.” I smile whenever I think of her saying that, but the truth is, she was right. How many times have I let an “if” or a “but” become an excuse for not doing what I know I should? I have good intentions, but so often, they get tangled up in hesitations and excuses.

I doubt I’m alone in feeling this way. Even the Apostle Paul struggled with the same issue.

Romans 7:17-25 (NIV)
¹⁷ As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. ¹⁸ For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. ¹⁹ For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. ²⁰ Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

²¹ So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²² For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; ²³ but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. ²⁴ What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? ²⁵ Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

Reading these words from Paul is comforting in a way. Here is a man who loved God deeply and wrote so much of the New Testament, yet he, too, faced the struggle between wanting to do what is right and finding himself falling short. How relatable is that?

We all know what it’s like to want to live a better, more faithful life. We want to be kind, to give generously, to live selflessly. And yet, the distractions and temptations of daily life pull at us, and our good intentions can feel more like distant dreams than realities.

The Battle Within

Paul’s description of this inner struggle feels so familiar, doesn’t it? It’s like knowing exactly what we should do, but somehow, we end up doing the opposite. We want to be patient, but we snap in frustration. We want to be generous, but we hold back out of fear. We plan to pray or read our Bible, but then the day slips away, and we’re too tired. Sound familiar?

It’s comforting, in a way, to realize that even Paul—the Apostle Paul, who wrote so many letters of encouragement and wisdom—wrestled with this same battle. We all have an inner tug-of-war between our best intentions and the reality of our human weaknesses. One moment we’re fired up, ready to do good and make a difference, and the next, we’re tripped up by old habits, insecurities, or distractions.

But here’s where it gets hopeful: Paul doesn’t just leave us feeling defeated. He cries out, “Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?” and answers his own question: “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

It’s a reminder that while we can’t always win the battle on our own, we don’t have to. Jesus has already won the ultimate victory for us. When we feel like we’re falling short, He is there, ready to lift us up. His grace covers every failure, and His strength fills every weakness.

Grace for the Journey

We will never be perfect this side of heaven, and that’s okay. Jesus didn’t come for perfect people; He came for those who struggle, for those who know they need a Savior. His grace is there to pick us up every time we fall, and His Spirit gives us the strength to keep moving forward.

So, the next time we find ourselves using an “if” or a “but” as an excuse, let’s remember that even in our imperfections, God is working in us. We don’t have to rely on our own strength—thank God for that! We can lean into His love, knowing that He’s got us covered.

To GOD Goes The Glory!

Have A Blessed Day!

Let’s End with a Prayer
Lord, thank You for Your never-ending grace and for loving us even in our imperfections. We confess that we often let excuses get in the way of living the life You’ve called us to. Help us to overcome the “ifs” and “buts” that hold us back. Give us the strength and courage to do what is good and right, and remind us that You are always with us, guiding us and lifting us up. Thank You for rescuing us through Jesus Christ, our Savior.
In His name, we pray. Amen.