When it’s time to quit…

She is one of my oldest friends, and nearly 40 years ago, she asked me, “Is there anyone out there who tells guys they need to quit?” I understood who she was talking about—and why. I told her there may be someone, but it is not me. Yet for four decades, that question has bounced around in my head.

I’ve joked with elders who want to release their preacher but aren’t sure how to do it: “Stop paying him, and in about three weeks he’ll get the point.”

So when is it time to quit? What’s the Bible example?

• When you feel inadequate?
  “Though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me: to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Ephesians 3:8).

• When you fall?
  “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost” (1 Timothy 1:15).
  “Wretched man that I am!” (Romans 7:24).
  “And he went out and wept bitterly” (Matthew 26:75).

• When you have taught falsely?
  “Pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you” (Acts 8:22).

• When you’ve been hurt by the brethren?
  “Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm… Beware of him yourself” (2 Timothy 4:14–15).

• When you are burned out or feel spent?
  “Afflicted in every way, but not crushed… struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8–9).

• When the results aren’t what you hoped for?
  “When they did not receive him… he turned from there and went to another town” (Luke 9:5–6).

• When you feel alone in the work?
  “At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me… Only Luke is with me” (2 Timothy 4:16, 11).

• When everyone seems against you?
  “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12).

• When discouragement whispers, “You’re done”?
  “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).

Now, you can quit, and I know there are times guys have to—but Scripture spends far more time telling faithful people how to endure.

God IS the God of the second chance, and if you will be true to Him, you can keep going! It may call for repentance but not necessarily quitting. The Bible gives many reasons to repent, rest, recalibrate, and refocus—but it is remarkably quiet about quitting.