When my last employer in January 2011 elimated my job and
let me go it was the second time in 4 years that something like this has happen
to me. For a man losing your job is
devasting. Our job in many ways defines
who we are as a person. It gives us
worth and value. Losing one’s jobs makes
you worthless and as a failure.
This got me to looking on the internet for
encouragement. I came across a blog
called “Making Career Changes.” The
author wrote an article called, “Faith and Job Loss.” I want share a few things from it.
When our career or job leaves us, we think something went
wrong with our faith. We ask questions like,
• "Why has God allowed this to happen to me when I'm one
of the good ones -- one of his followers who is active in serving him and his
church?"
• "Why haven't my prayers for daily provision,
stability in my life, and protection from job loss been answered?"
• "What's wrong with me that God has sent this time of
struggle?"
He goes on later to write;
Life according to the Bible is not about never suffering
loss and having to endure hardship. It is about maintaining absolute trust in
God when you do suffer loss and difficulty in life, and that God will get you
through it, not by your own power, but through his power and accomplishment.
That's the true faith perspective to have when your job or
career leaves you. So you need a new set of questions:
• "What is God going to teach me about trusting him
through this loss?"
• "What can I learn about worshipping him and serving
him when things are not going the way I want them to?"
• "Where is God leading me through this
experience?"
• "How will God's power and accomplishments be shown
through my difficulties?"
He finishes with 2 Corinthians 4:8-10;
We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not
crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but
never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through
suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life
of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. (2 Corinthians 4:8-10 NLT)
Verse 10 is what really spoke to me: “Through suffering, our
bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus…” My job loss and my suffering allows me to
share in Christ’s death.
When I suffer it is an honor, because I am sharing Christ’s
death. When I remember what Christ has
done for me and the promise he has made to me, I am encouraged for his burden
is light and he will not forsake me.
