Enough is enough. What should you do when you’ve reached the end of your rope and are ready to quit, abandon, turn your back or move on? In 2021, 47.8 million people quit their jobs—about 4 million a month.[1] This represented a 20-year high. A Pew Research survey found the major reasons people gave were low pay (63%), no opportunity for advancement (63%), feeling disrespected at work (57%), and childcare issues (48%).[2]
The Bible’s take on quitting is clear: don’t do it simply for self-fulfillment. 2 Chronicles 15:7 reminds us, “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” Later in 2 Timothy 1:7 we read, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” The thread of Scripture is that we will go through tough times in life and work, but we must be self-disciplined and continue, because our reward is ultimately not of this world, but from God.
Does this mean we should never quit a job? No, it doesn’t. But what it does teach us is that we must carefully consider why we are choosing to move on to something else. And we must realize that any major life decision is a spiritual decision. Is our purpose in changing roles God-driven? Do we truly believe He has accomplished His purpose through us in this role, and/or has another role where we can more fully realize what God desires for us—or is it simply for our own satisfaction, happiness or contentment?
Perhaps among the most difficult teachings of the Bible to understand and live by is that God ultimately does not place us in our earthly roles for our own happiness. You may have heard someone say, or have said to yourself, “God wants me to be happy.” Yet this is not written or suggested anywhere in Scripture. Instead God uses another word. In Leviticus 11:44 He says, “For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy.” And again in the New Testament (1 Peter 1:15): “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct…”
Holiness is what God wants for us. The word holy means “set apart”, that is, separated and committed to the work of God Himself. This does not mean we are perfect, sinless, or that we look and behave in a certain way, or perform certain spiritual rituals. Holiness is also not withdrawing from society to a monastery. Holy means we are different and distinct from everything that is common. This is the inward nature of people who are Christ-followers. That inward commitment results in outward words, attitudes and actions that reflect Christ in our way of living.
We don’t become holy by trying to reform ourselves. Rather, we are holy because we are of God, and we make decisions on this basis. This is why when we feel like giving up, or making a change, or leaving something, that our desire in this is to please God and to do what God would want us to do. This is not out of obligation or guilt, but because we know God.
Every month between 2% and 3% of all workers quit their jobs.[3] But here’s something interesting. A recent survey revealed that 78% of young workers say they regretted their new job after starting.[4] And according to a survey from recruiting platform Jobvite, 30% of new employees leave their jobs within the first 90 days of getting hired.[5] Whether spiritually active or not, it’s clear that many people who choose to quit don’t do a deep dive into the reasons why, and may be letting a general sense of dissatisfaction drive their decision. When you’ve had it, as a Christ-follower, look first to God. Ask Him what He would have you do. You may be surprised at the answer He provides.
[1] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/states-job-resignation-rates-pandemic-123749821.html
[2] https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2022/03/09/majority-of-workers-who-quit-a-job-in-2021-cite-low-pay-no-opportunities-for-advancement-feeling-disrespected/
[3] https://www.bls.gov/news.release/jolts.t04.htm
[4] https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/02/72percent-of-young-workers-say-theyve-regretted-a-new-job-after-starting.html
[5] https://hbr.org/2021/12/so-you-want-to-quit-your-brand-new-job
People in general and leaders in particular are proficient in making choices. Our culture is organized around constant choice-making. Choices are literally everywhere, all the time.