5 Principles for Ending a Season of Life Well
A few months ago, we moved our youngest son into a big boy bed and said goodbye to the rocking chair we’ve had since Kinsley was a baby. It’s been in all three kids’ rooms — countless nights of rocking them to sleep, comforting cries, whispering prayers, and nodding off mid-song. That chair held memories of joy, exhaustion, and grace. But as the kids grew, the chair became more of a space filler than a necessity. When it came time to let it go, I felt a lump in my throat.
It had served its purpose and it was time for it find a new home.
Around the same time, I also stepped away from my full-time role as Discipleship Pastor at our church in Fargo, North Dakota — a church we deeply love and still call home. We had sensed God stirring something new in us and God kept opening doors, showing us it was time. It was another necessary ending — one that came with tears, gratitude, and peace.
That’s the thing about endings — they’re often bittersweet. Something can be good and still be finished. But many of us don’t handle endings well. Sometimes we hold on too long, afraid to release what’s familiar. Other times, we end poorly — walking away from the wreckage of an explosion we helped create. Either way, we struggle to close chapters with intention and grace.
Yet I believe God calls us to end well.
Scripture reminds us, “There is a time for everything… a time to begin and a time to end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). We celebrate beginnings — new jobs, new relationships, new seasons — but endings can feel like loss or failure. The truth is, endings are not evidence of failure; they’re often evidence of growth.
There are moments in life when God whispers, “It’s time.”
It’s time to graduate and step into the unknown.
It’s time to move cities or shift careers.
It’s time to let go of a relationship that’s holding you back.
It’s time to release a version of yourself that no longer fits who you’re becoming.
You can sense an ending when the fruit begins to fade, when peace replaces striving, or when excitement turns into conviction. Sometimes the clearest sign is that you no longer have to fight to keep something alive — because God is gently closing the door Himself. Sometimes an ending is obvious — you get fired from a job. Other times its not very obvious at all — but you sense God stirring something in you.
But recognizing something needs to end is only half the story. The other half is learning how to land the plane. You can’t just pull the eject lever and hope for the best. Ending well requires intention, humility, and trust.
Here are a few principles that have guided me through transitions:
Finish faithfully. Give your best until the final moment. The way you leave matters just as much as how you started. Faithfulness at the finish line builds integrity and trust—it’s a reflection of who you are, not just what you’ve done. When you finish well, you honor both God and the people who walked with you in that season.
Communicate clearly. Don’t disappear. Say what needs to be said—with honesty and grace. Most hurt in transitions comes from silence or confusion. Clarity honors others and prevents unnecessary assumptions. Communicate with humility, not defensiveness, and allow space for closure and peace on both sides.
Celebrate what was. Take time to thank God for the good that came from the season, even if it didn’t end how you hoped. Gratitude reframes endings from moments of loss to milestones of growth. Remembering the wins and the people who made an impact allows you to move forward with joy instead of regret.
Release with gratitude, not resentment. You can’t move forward while still holding on in bitterness. Gratitude transforms endings into launching points. When you release something with a thankful heart, you make space for God to bring new opportunities and healing. Let go of what’s behind you so your hands are open for what’s ahead.
Set others up for success. Whether you’re leaving a job, team, or ministry, honor those who will continue the work after you. A healthy ending leaves a legacy, not a void. Invest in others, pass on what you’ve learned, and trust that God will continue the story beyond your chapter.
Before stepping into what’s next, take time to reflect. You can use the Exit Interview Reflection Guide to walk through thoughtful questions like:
What did this season teach me?
How have I grown?
What would I do differently next time?
Did I live this season in a way that glorified God?
Every ending—no matter how painful or beautiful—is preparation for what’s next. The same God who was faithful in the last season will be faithful in the next.
So when the moment comes to let go—of a chair, a job, a relationship, or a dream—remember: some good things have to end so better things can begin.
🎧 Listen to the full conversation on this topic in Episode 95 of The Going Somewhere Podcast: “Necessary Endings.”
Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.