10 Ways to Know It is Time to Quit

Knowing When to Say "I Quit"

The journey into a profound spirituality for me began when I finally said, “I quit.” Refusing to continue pretending everything was “fine,” I told my husband, Pete, I was quitting the church –and he was the pastor!

The powerful journey we took together – to “quit” the things that really don’t belong to God’s kingdom and embrace the things that do – changed our personal lives, our marriage and our church. Take a few minutes to see how many of the following ten statements apply to you. It may be time for you to quit.

1. You need the approval of others to feel good about yourself.
2. You are angry, sad, or disappointed and feel guilty about it.
3. You believe you don't have choices.
4. You do for others what they can and should do for themselves.
5. Your rarely consider your own hopes and dreams because of your focus on others.
6. You say “yes’ when you would rather say “no”.
7. You have difficulty speaking up when you disagree or prefer something different.
8. You’re becoming a less instead of a more loving person.
9. You are resentful and tired because you regularly “try to do it all.”
10. You are afraid to admit your weaknesses and flaws.

If two or three apply to you, you may need to start quitting. If four to six apply, you have a lot to quit; if you scored seven or above, your true self may be “buried alive.”

When we quit those things that are damaging to our souls, we are freed up to choose ways of being that are rooted in love and lead to life – both for us and others. Quitting goes hand in hand with choosing. Something breaks inside of us when we finally say, “No more!”

The following are the eight “Quits” essential to all genuine spirituality:

Geri is a teaching pastor and director of Marriage Ministry at New Life Fellowship Church, a multiracial, international church with over 65 nations represented in Queens, New York City. Pete is the founder and senior pastor. I Quit can be found at Amazon,com, Barnes and noble.com. Their website can be found at www.emotionallyhealthy.org.