We’ve all been there, those moments when a project feels too hard, or a relationship feels too challenging, or the problem we’re trying to solve feels too overwhelming.
In those moments, we’re tempted to quit.
Sometimes, it’s okay to quit. Definitely quit a relationship that’s abusive. Leave the church that abandons Jesus and the gospel. Switch careers if God shows you a different direction.
However, sometimes we give up too soon. We simply become weary and give up.
Here’s the thing: God calls us to endure. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). Ah there it is – do not give up. Keep doing the right thing.
As I think about this verse, there are several truths tucked within to keep us keeping on.
3 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Quit
Am I Weary? When you realize weariness is setting in, take a break and get some rest. Then go back and continue doing good. God has designed us to bring His goodness into the world around us. However, our bodies weren’t designed to go 24/7. We need a proper work-life balance. Our bodies and our minds both need rest. If you’ve been working overtime, and you’re fed up with your boss, you might need to take a break. Similarly, if you’re fed up with your kids and find yourself shouting at them, take a break, because the truth is you can’t quit parenting. But you can pause and re-group. You can take a break and reset your attitude. If you are working on a project and find yourself completely frustrated, you are likely weary. Leave it for a bit and come back to the problem later after you feel refreshed.
Is It the Proper Time? As the writer of Ecclesiastes puts it, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). God’s timing is perfect. When you just can’t make progress on something, when you feel like you’re banging your head against the wall, remind yourself that God’s timing is perfect. If He puts a dream in your heart, keep pursuing that dream; don’t give up, but realize timing is everything. God’s timing is perfect. Keep pursuing Him and trust that He is working in ways you may not understand. At the right time, He will move and you will be amazed at the outcome.
What’s the Harvest I’m Hoping For? Every harvest takes a whole lot of work. A magnificent marriage takes a lot of work. Kids who grow up emotionally and spiritually healthy take a lot of work. Book writing takes hours and hours of work. Building a business takes hard work. Sometimes, when we’re in the thick of all the hard work, we need to lift our eyes from our immediate frustrations to the end result we are hoping for. Keeping our eyes on the type of harvest we’re hoping for can give us the motivation to hang in there.
Each of these questions is appropriate for your walk with God. Your spiritual journey is not a sprint. It’s a marathon. Along the way, you might feel like quitting, wondering, does God really care? Ask yourself the three questions above. If you’re weary, take a day and just rest with Jesus. If you feel impatient, trust God’s timing. When the timing is right He will come through for you. And finally, remind yourself of the harvest of seeing God face to face one day and hearing Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Hang in there friend, the best is yet to come!
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Becky Harling
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