9. When you find yourself physically ill if work crosses your mind.
On the weekend (or when you are off work), if the emotional stress is greater than you can handle, you may need to protect your health over your career.
10. When you don’t have the energy to pull your own weight.
For whatever reason, whether it’s because you’ve given up, you are bored or just can’t keep up the pace, if you are dragging down productivity and you don’t have the incentive to improve, perhaps it’s time for a change in your workplace.
Please understand. I’m not a quitter. God may leave you in the miserable environment for a season … or even years. He certainly did for some of the men and women in Bible history. I also believe that the times described above are not always to be viewed as negative experiences. Sometimes God uses the difficult experiences of life to draw us to Him and to open our eyes to the next opportunity He has for us. I would have never made some of the moves I’ve made in life … that I know now were of God … had it not been for my miserable situation at the time.
At the same time, I believe there are times a false sense of loyalty, codependency or irrational fear keeps us from moving forward, even though God is not holding us to the position. In my opinion, protecting our heart is more important than protecting a professional position. I wouldn’t make a decision solely on just one of these scenarios, but if numerous of them apply …
Consider this list as it compares to your situation, then ask God to confirm in your heart:
- If you are free to leave.
- If now is the time.
What would you add to my list?
