When it is Okay to Quit?
When is it Okay to Quit?
Most of us are familiar with the adage, winners never quit, and quitters never win. That adage is just the one my Bridges guest wanted to challenge.
While she was not a proponent of quitting when things got rough, she also wanted to express that quitting is different from giving up.
Is it Time to Quit?
So exactly when is it okay to quit? How do you know when/if it is time to quit? There is no formula, but there are ways to discover what is best if you are willing to lean in and use wisdom.
When you find yourself frequently asking questions like;
Why am I doing this?
What is the point?
Is there more?
You may be at a place where you need to identify what is going on and review your options. Asking questions can be a good thing because they may be propelling you to reconsider the status quo and move on to a brand-new season.
She Learned the Hard Way
Additionally, when you find yourself trying to force something that is not a good fit it is usually a good indicator that it is time to quit and move on to something else. My Bridges guest shared that she learned this lesson the hard way. She volunteered for a fundraising project at one of her children’s schools. That is a noble thing, but my guest did like asking people to buy calendars, so every moment of that project was filled with tension. Despite the tension, she continued volunteering year after year because she did not feel good about quitting. Eventually, when the tension hit record heights my guest finally realized that quitting is different than giving up.
As people of faith, it is important to pray and ask God for wisdom when making decisions. His Word lights our path and gives us wisdom on when it is time to quit. Here is a scripture from the book of James that I call the wisdom test. It will help you as you make decisions about when it is time to quit and move on to something more productive.
“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.”
James 3:17 NLT
As I ask God for wisdom, I also review my decisions through this scripture in James. I ask myself if the decision I am making is;
Pure
Peace
Loving
Gentle at all Times
Willing to Yield to Others
Full of Mercy
The Fruit of Good Deeds
No Favoritism
Sincere
Running my options through the wisdom test helps me confirm if what I am thinking lines up with God’s Word. For example, if the decision is not pure or gentle then it cannot be God’s Will. Whether it is a job, hobby, small group etc. quitting may not always be easy, but it may be in your best interest. It takes faith to quit the status quo and launch into the next venture.
A Bright Next Season
Pray about your decision, review your options, and consult wise counsel. None of us want to quit when God is asking us to stay. But in those times that you are confident that you need to move on – rest in the knowledge that quitting is different from giving up. Sometimes quitting provides the groundwork for a bright next season.
Today’s Secret from the Studio: Quitting is different than giving up.