You are frustrated. Or hurting. Or just don't know if you can take it any more.

You may be in a difficult relationship. You may be in a job you hate. You may be the pastor of a church, and things just aren't going the way you had planned.

And you are thinking about quitting.

Understanding the Seasons

Hear me well. There is indeed a time to move on, a time to quit. We often stay too long in that job, too long in that pastorate, or too long in that dating relationship. The writer of Ecclesiastes was right: God has ordained seasons for planting and seasons for uprooting.

But I am concerned that many of us are quitting too soon. The frustrations of today mask the possibilities of tomorrow. Maybe you're supposed to quit. Or maybe not.

When are we supposed to stay? When do we say for certain we are not giving in to the pressures and the pains of today? I have no magical formula or quick-fix solutions. But may I suggest that we all consider these issues before we quit?

Six Occasions When We Should Not Quit

Of course, most of the people who read this blog are local-church related. Pastors. Church staff. Lay leaders. And those people get frustrated and hurt too often. But I believe my applications have a wider audience.

So, here are six occasions when we should not quit:

1. When we have no clarity from God. Of course, I am not prepared to tell you how you should discern the will of God. But you certainly should be seeking His will.

2. When you haven't expressed gratitude and joy to God for where you are now. I know. Your present situation stinks. Why should you be joyful and thankful for anything about it? But do you really believe God is working all things for good? Can you see some areas where you can express joy and gratitude today?

Dr. Mark Rutland's

National Institute of Christian Leadership (NICL)

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