We have all heard the old saying that quitters never win. I know I have definitely hit those spots where I wanted to quit. But are there times that quitting is the best option? I like to say that I’m loyal to a fault. I will keep hanging onto or doing something way past the time of effectiveness only because I want to be found keeping my word.
Did you know King David was a quitter? It was kind of hard for me to think of him that way but in fact he was. David had formed in his heart and mind to build God a temple. Now being the king that he was who could really stop him from doing a seemingly good thing like building a temple for the Lord his God? After all it was a “good” idea. But David discovered that his “good” idea wasn’t “God’s” idea for him.
His good idea was destined for someone else (his son, Solomon) to complete, although David did ensure his son had the necessary preparations to complete the tasks. Are we wise enough to discern when the idea is in fact good but not meant for us to implement? Or will we simple forge ahead because it seems good to us?
Sometimes the most noble action is to quit when we haven’t been called to do a thing. Are there other times when quitting really is the best option?
Wow Wanda, You have me wondering…
Maybe the FROG I’m cleaning isn’t meant for me to do…lol
I wish…
I think I shall pass it to my children…not~
This makes me wonder, what a way to look at things!
Thanks for sharing~
LOL, now now Ella don’t try putting that off on the kids 🙂 Hope you have a great weekend.
Sometimes we want something so badly it’s hard to accept that it’s not meant for us. It can be difficult to know if quitting is the right option in these cases.
Lee
Places I Remember
Wrote By Rote
An A to Z Co-host blog
Knowing when to quit is easy for sure. But I think it is just as important as knowing when to start something.
Great thoughts Wanda. I’ve had to quit things that were near and dear to me. Although at the time I felt it was the right decision I’ve always wondered if I should have kept going. Thanks for sharing that there are times when quitting really is an option.
Yeah, I have those incidences as well Bernadine. At the beginning of the year I quit something and I found myself wondering why I hadn’t done it sooner. It relieved a burden off my shoulders. Knowing when to let go and when to hang on is always easy.
If I begin something (like the A to Z Challenge) I hate to quit, this year it has been painful to use my pc due to painful shoulders and arms and hands but with just 8 more to do I will carry on….I hope.
Yvonne.
Oh Yvonne, sorry to hear that you are having pain in shoulders and arms. Hope that clears up for you soon. I’m like you I hate to quit too 🙂
There are certainly times when I feel like quitting, and yet in every case I know I can overcome the desire to quit with positive enthusiasm for seeing it through! I try and use each setback as a “cue” to push on ahead with more determination than ever before!
Great post Wanda!
Blessings and hugs,
Denise
I think discerning when to quit and when to dig in and be more determined get bit tricky at times.
This is a fabulous reminder, Wanda. And so true. If it’s not in His will for you, quitting is the best think you can do!
Amen, although I must say it’s not always easy for me to discern between a good idea and one that is good for me.
Great insights here, and good food for thought. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Guilie, happy A-Z blogging. All the best to you in the challenge.
Hi…I’m hopping over from the A to Z Challenge…lovely blog…good luck with the rest of the challenge…
Donna L Martin
http://www.donasdays.blogspot
Hi Donna, pleasure to have you visit from the challenge. Hope things are going well for you in the A-Z challenge.
Wanda, this is so powerful and timely. There are two times when I’ve learned to quit. First, when I know, or as soon as I realize. that I am doing something (no matter how good it is) with the wrong motive. There was a time I would, for example, accept an invitation just out of curiosity, but that is a wrong motive. Now, I either go and celebrate the person or event or I don’t. Second, I have learned to quit when it is in my power to do so (not fulfilling a work obligation, etc.) anything that I realize is harming someone. This has strengthened my friendships in more ways than I can imagine. I’ve learned that not every topic is okay even around my best friends. Some of them find it hard to talk about babies or parents because of losses suffered, so I’ve learned to quit certain conversations that I know cause them pain even when they don’t say a word. Just because I have a right or choice to do or say something does not mean that I have to. Knowing how and when to quit has taught me to be discerning, excercise self-discipline and to know that I don’t have to do everything my way; that I can trust God.
Thank you LaVonne for sharing two other important occasions when quitting is a good option.
Mu husband and I are in a situation right now that calls for this kind of discernment. We covet your prayers, Wanda.
Hi Pam, I pray that you and your husband would have a spirit of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding as you proceed.
Most of my life I lived as a very inconsistent person. There have been many things that I’ve started and never finished – just lost interest in it. I’m still that way to some extent; although I’ve become more disciplined over the years since I’ve become more content within myself.
Before facing a challenge I do give it forethought before I embark upon it so that midway in I won’t quit.
I’ve been brought to my knees several times with a complete lack of energy to near death; in those cases, I had no choice but to give in and surrender completely.
I’ve learned when I’m powerless to do a thing and when I’m not.