When is it Time to Quit?

I am not a quitter—and yet I have quit a time or two. Sometimes it’s smart to quit. I am not a loser and yet, I have lost a time or two.

They say you can never win by quitting. And yet, sometimes that’s exactly what it takes to win. Winning is not always about sheer determination.

I know all the cliches about quitting:

• “It’s always too soon to quit.”
• “Only quitters quit.”
• “If you quit once you’ll make it a habit.”

Wait a minute. How about this scenario? You may be on the wrong road, heading in the wrong direction—and no amount of determination will win that one. Sometimes you have to quit and start over on a completely different track.

Perseverance alone doesn’t ensure success. As the old line goes, “If you keep doing exactly as you are doing today, you can expect the same results.”

Quitting is not the end nor the final answer; it is a decision to stop and restart in a new way. There are times when quitting is the wise and courageous thing to do.

I’ve come up with a list of things that should dictate when it’s time to quit:

1. When you discover your motives are wrong.
2. When you learn that what you are doing is immoral.
3. When you are convicted by God and need to change.
4. When you realize you entered the game uninformed or misled.
5. When your health is suffering because of your commitment.
6. When what you are doing is breaking you, your family, or your relationships.
7. When God has told you to quit.
8. When you realize your commitment was emotional and you do not have the ability to do the task at hand.
9. When you realize you were manipulated into the event.
10. When you’ve thought it through and you realize you can’t change the wrong.
11. When you’ve pondered awhile and realized it is time to quit either for you or the organization.
12. When your wife or husband supports your decision to quit.
13. When it’s time for change and you can’t do what’s needed.
14. When your organization as a whole no longer supports your leadership.
15. When quitting is a rational decision and not emotional.
16. When you’ve had good advice from wise people to quit.
17. When the issue you’re facing cannot be resolved with good advice.
18. Lastly, and maybe the best one: When you have prayed and prayed and thought and thought, and you feel great peace about quitting.

Those are a few good reasons to quit. However, each line needs a paragraph! When quitting is based on your wrong motives, you can repent and possibly succeed. When quitting is based upon something wrong, then resolve the issue if possible, fix the problem, and restart on a good foundation. When what you are doing is destroying your health, relationships, or hurting your family it is sometimes possible through wise counsel to correct the situation and continue.

Quitting is not the end nor the final answer; it is a decision to stop and restart in a new way. There are times when quitting is the wise and courageous thing to do.

I would not support anyone quitting because they are lazy, unmotivated, having a bad day, feeling blue, or discouraged. But there are positive ways to quit a job, a relationship, a career, or a mess that you’ve somehow gotten into.

Quitting should be a choice and not the only option. There simply are times when quitting makes sense. However, I would be concerned if you’ve been quitting often. It shouldn’t be a habit.

Quitting is not about giving up. It is about changing direction. It is about rethinking the path and starting over. It is about reviewing and realizing “this is wrong”, and then doing what is right.

Just so we are clear, quitting is not about stopping and doing nothing, it is about stopping what is not right, useful, productive, honest, or good and choosing to do what is better.

Sometimes in quitting, you win something better!

Don’t forget, pray. “In everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God…” and give God a chance to speak.

I’ve quit a time or two, but not often and always for excellent reasons—and I’m not sorry I did.

Dennis Heppner grew up in Canada and was called to ministry as a young boy. Dennis and his wife Denie, who was also called to missions as a child, pastored 4 churches in Canada, but in 1987 the door opened to come to the Philippines as missionaries. They brought their 4 eldest children with them and the kids grew up here. In 2006 they adopted Emma Rose, a special Filipino treasure and a gift from God to their family. Dennis has been a missionary evangelist in Asia for 25 years.

He was the director of LIFESCHOOLS of ministry and pastored 3 churches in the early years of his ministry based in the Philippines. He is currently the founder and President of Developing Effective Leaders (DEL), superintendent of Church of God West Asia, and the founding and lead Pastor of the vibrant, growing Church of God Makati. Dennis and Denie and their whole family, including Josh and Melody who live in Canada, are committed to missions, leadership, and the call of Christ.

Read more of Ptr. Dennis’ articles HERE!

Featured image by FreePik