Keeping Faith During a Job Loss
My husband might be losing his job, and since we live on one income that has us concerned. But we feel hopeful, maybe even a little encouraged, and I’ll tell you why.
First, some background.
Five years ago we decided I’d stay home with the kids. It was a choice we prayed about and hemmed and hawed over, but in every way it was the right choice for our family. We knew there was risk involved, but we moved in faith and God provided through job transitions, a cross-country move and a growing family.
But this post isn’t about that. It’s about keeping faith when things fall apart.
David’s job hasn’t been easy; he’s had to fight for his position over the years, and I’ve witnessed an unwavering steadfastness on his part. In the face of put-downs, shifting job security and lack of inclusion, he has continued to pray–not just for his job, but for his coworkers–and show up day after day.
But when we heard his position was getting replaced, it caught our breath. We knew this could happen, and now it’s here.
But, wait. We prayed about this…
We prayed that God would bring change. That he would provide a healthy work environment, a place where David could grow in his field and feel valued. We even prayed for Christian co-workers.
James 1:6 says, “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”
Going through a job loss could be an answered prayer; the start of something new and maybe even something better. So we stand here at the intersection of faith in God and worldly fears–not as observers but as active participants.
Will we resist the change? Will we fear what’s ahead and dig in our heels?
Or will we move forward, looking for job opportunities and keeping faith, trusting God for something new?
When fears strike at my heart, I ask what I’m really afraid of.
Is it that something new won’t come along fast enough?
Is it what people will think?
Is it having to tell the school we can no longer afford tuition?
Or the fear of losing our house?
Maybe it’s a little bit of everything.
But standing in this place provides the opportunity to examine deeply our true treasure. Matthew 6:21 says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. “
Expanding that: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt 6:19-21)
Thank you Lord.
Even in a worst case we wouldn’t lose everything. We wouldn’t lose each other. We wouldn’t lose what’s eternal.
And so I’m writing this to you because it’s real life–not just for us, but maybe for you, or your neighbors or family members who don’t discuss it.
We don’t know what’s ahead, but we prayed for change and we’ll trust God. We’ll move with the change, continue looking for new opportunities and see what happens. Because if we really trust that our lives are in His hands, this is the time to believe it.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”(Joshua 1:9)