A while ago, I imagined a future scenario. It affected me deeply.

It was an easy morning, but later, I was faced with a challenge or two. Perhaps the classified laptop did not save my input for the fifth time, or I had a hard phone conversation with someone from higher headquarters. More likely, it was one more task my supervisor gave me or some constructive feedback I did not expect. I closed the door to my office, sat down in my chair, and said to myself, “I just can’t do this anymore!” Then I wept, knowing that my long career had come to an end.

Perhaps you are facing the end of your career. Your physical, mental, or emotional capacities have diminished. You could be a teacher who is burned out or a doctor who is running out of patience. You may be in a job that has been a bad fit for a long time because your boss created a toxic environment. Your responsibilities may have increased without an appropriate raise in pay. You find yourself at the end of your rope. You can barely hang on. Thankfully, we have a heavenly Father who loves us and has a plan for your life when you cannot find the strength.

I invite you to join me as we wrestle with this sensitive topic. I will attempt to unpack some biblical principles and practical wisdom that might help us to decide whether it is time to move on or time to continue fighting the good fight even when our strength seems to be gone.

Biblical examples

If you’ve read the Bible, you have undoubtedly read stories about many people who suffered. This seems to be a recurring theme throughout. It often sets the stage for God’s deliverance.

One example of this is Elijah. In the dramatic story found in 1 Kings 18:16-40, he demonstrated God’s power over 400 prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. King Ahab told Jezebel about the event, and she threatened to kill Elijah. He was afraid, ran away, and went into the wilderness. He was completely wiped out. He sat down and “prayed that he might die” (1 Kings 19:1-4). In His mercy, God let him hand over the mantle of responsibility to Elisha (1 Kings 19:16-19).

Jonah is another relevant illustration. He was unhappy with his mission and refused to carry it out. He was disciplined for his disobedience. After a few days in the belly of a giant fish, Jonah eventually came to his senses and was willing to obey God. God was not done with him and had more work for him to do. Surprisingly, after he preached to the Ninevites, the people repented.

I am certain there are more examples in Scripture of others who were so frustrated with their work environment or even with God that they wanted to throw in the towel. In Elijah’s case, God acknowledged that he did enough and he was able to retire with an honorable discharge. Jonah, on the other hand, received some additional training, but God did not let him off the hook.

Is it time to stay put?

The decision whether to stay or go is a tough one. There are many factors to consider, one being our level of discomfort. Can we push through the trials we are experiencing now, while hoping to see an end to them in a reasonable amount of time? The ability to stay the course in the midst of suffering is referred to as perseverance. There are many Scriptures that address this. Here are a few:

• Rom. 5:3-5 – “We know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
• James 1:2-4 – “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
• 1 Peter 5:10 –  “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

Is it time to go?

I have wrestled with this question quite a bit over the past few years, especially as I got closer to retirement age. Retiring from paid employment is going to happen. It is just a matter of timing. There are costs for retiring too early and there are costs in staying employed for too long.

In general, I have observed from personal experience that in any trial the Lord allows me to endure, He will either deliver me from it or get me through it. Obviously, with respect to my 45-year marriage to my wonderful wife, since we are committed to each other for life, and neither of us has died yet, I know that the little challenges we face are things the Lord will get us through. He would never deliver me from a marriage covenant that was designed by Him to be for life.

However, with respect to our job, we do not need to feel the same way we do about our marriage. Although some dedicated farmers (and others) might do the same job at the same place their entire adult lives, most of us have the freedom to choose whether to stay or to go. God can and often will deliver us through the unique and universal thorns and thistles we experience at work. He can also open doors to deliver us from bad situations where we have no hope of change.

Let me share a personal example where it was clear that God was going to have to deliver me from my absolute worst Army assignment. I was on recruiting duty, and I just failed miserably. After my first nine months of training, I had achieved only 8 out of 18 (44%) of my assigned quotas/missions. I was really struggling. It was stressful on me and my family. Although God gave me perseverance along the way, I knew that there had to be a way out. Thankfully, my chain of command acknowledged my failures and relieved me as an ineffective new recruiter.

How do we know?

One promise in the Bible always gives me confidence to make hard decisions like this. James 1:5 tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” If you sense it may be time to quit and find something else or retire (if you are financially able to do so), then ask God for wisdom. He will provide.

The writer of Ecclesiastes gives us a little help. He prefaces a long list of seemingly random contrasting pairs with this overarching statement, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Eccl. 3:1). It is a great list, but it is not all-inclusive. He does not specifically say there is a time to keep working and a time to quit, but this is also true. Jobs, like friendships, houses, cars, clothes, etc., are meant to be temporary, not permanent.

Jesus’ humble attitude of submission to His heavenly Father serves as an example for us. In the Garden of Gethsemane, on the night before his arrest and crucifixion, Jesus fully surrendered to God’s will: “Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” (Mark 14:36). Once we have surrendered our rights to do what we want and begin to trust in what God wants for us, I believe it is at this point that God will clearly reveal to us where He wants us to serve.

Closing thoughts

There is no doubt about it. Work can be overwhelming at times. I believe it was designed to be a challenge so that we would grow from it, but sometimes it can be too much. God knows this and will always be present with us as we experience the thorns and thistles due to Adam’s and our own sin.

I trust that if you are at the point like many of us older workers when it is time to give some serious consideration as to whether it’s time to retire that you go to God for wisdom on the right timing. If your job is something that you can no longer do or want to do anymore, God may be  leading you in another direction. He will open doors in His time you when you seek Him first.

Russell E. Gehrlein (Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, Retired) is a Christian, husband, grandfather, blogger, and author of Immanuel Labor – God’s Presence in our Profession. With degrees in mathematics and biblical studies, his career spans teaching, youth ministry, military service, and civilian work at Fort Leonard Wood. He writes to help others experience God’s presence and integrate faith at work. His articles appear in military journals and faith-based platforms including The Gospel Coalition, Made to Flourish, and the Center for Faith & Work.

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