When you lose a job, it can be devastating as a lot of you know. I lost my first job after 22 years with a company. I had worked my way up to middle management, was happy with the work and was thinking that I would probably retire from the company someday. My family was third generation in the area, and my Dad had put in 25 + years with the same company. Management changed and I found myself disagreeing with the path that the new guy was taking, based on a sound, scientific basis. Needless to say, I should have seen the writing on the wall! I worked for a year in a very high stress level and finally the axe fell. I was devastated! I was #16 of 24 management people that either quit or were fired in that year. I was able to settle for a constructive dismissal as I had kept every performance review ever done, including a commendation from the president of the company. What really hurt was the reaction of the people that I had worked with for all those years. It was as if I no longer existed. I was, in effect dead!
For many years I hated that man and a few of my co-workers. I guess it was a pride issue.
When I became a Christian about five years ago, one of the things I had the most problems with was the issue of forgiveness. We, as Christians, are commanded to forgive! After much thought and contemplation, I started to look beyond the pride issue and look at the positive side of what the act of forgiveness meant to me.
If I had not moved from the comfortable life that I was leading in a very secure job, I likely would have continued what I was doing which overall was fairly meaningless, although great at the time.
The move took me right out of my comfort zone and challenged me in a whole bunch of ways. I developed expertise in whole new fields that I would not have considered previously. It allowed the family and me to meet some really nice people right across Canada, but most important, the circumstances led me to the Church and a close relationship with my Saviour Jesus Christ.
They say that hindsight is a great virtue, and never wrong. With what I know now and have learned since, I should have thanked that man, not hated him. The Bible says that the Lord will give us tribulations or troubles in our life, but nothing that we can’t handle in order to make us grow in the Spirit. In my case, it lead to a long route to finding the Lord.
Had this not happened, I would not have witnessed Elaine’s miraculous cure; would not have experienced God’s hand in saving me when the tractor rolled; would not have experienced God’s healing of my back and would not have been at peace the way I have been for the last 5 years.
All I can say is “God is Great!”
What about you and your loss of job security? Was it a learning experience? A growing experience? Or are you still bearing the anger and hate that I experienced?
Well, Saturday, the 21st will mark one year since I was laid off. As a maturing believer I know that there is no such thing as job security. I only have a job as long as God allows me to have a job. I do not hate anyone, let alone the person who laid me off or the company that made the decsion to shut my branch down. God has supplied graciously through His people thus far. Searching for a job almost everyday week after week and not being able to find one has taken its toll. We are now 3 months behind on our house payment and now there is a chance my unemployment is ending. Am I sacred, yes. But what can I do but look to HIm. My help comes from the Lord. I do not nor cannot trust in horses or chariots. I bear no anger nor hate. I have leaned that God is sovereign and He does as He pleases for His glory and my good. What my good is yet I dont know.
ReplyDeletePraise God He drew you to yourself giving you life and a new heart. Praise God you were delivered from hurt and anger. Thanks for sharing. I will yet praise God in His sanctuary for the help I believe will be forthcoming. Though I am ashamed of my fear.
Yes, my family has been there. The bank my hubbie worked for closed. He's just now working full time, independently. The Lord has supplied all the way through.
ReplyDeleteExcellent writing here! Your words shine a light on the path that leads to prosperity and happiness. Almost freezing here too, glad to hear you are so happy. Peace
ReplyDeleteGreetings -
ReplyDeleteWow! Your experience, Ian, sounds similar to mine. Your present gratitude is an inspiration and encouragement...
My term was not renewed on a job that I had worked in excess of five years. After recovery from the pain, I was able to term my dismissal a "pink slip" bonus.
Here is an excerpt from a piece that I wrote titled, "Parachutes or Eagles Wings?"
Excerpt:
We got “pink slip” bonuses which led us to seize the opportunities. What follows is a bit about my journey to the ranks of entrepreneurship.
I believe that I became poor to come to a place of understanding what it means to truly have faith in God. When I had steady jobs, like many people, my faith was in the secure salaries, and benefits. I mean there was “safety” in the parachute mentality.
Throughout my entire work history, I received written commendations for my excellent skills, and strong work ethic. I was habitually prompt with an above average attendance record.
One year, the Mayor of Washington, D.C. presented me with a “Customer Service Excellence Award.” My commendable work history did not result in a term renewal after five years of satisfactory and excellent performance evaluations. What followed was the lengthiest period of unemployment that I have ever experienced. It would be an understatement to say that I was jolted. Where I am now about it is at a place of gratitude. Challenges and uncertainties proved profitable as I achieved new levels of confidence. Presently, I am wiser with bountiful belief in the sovereignty of God. He is why I know that obstacles can triumphantly be conquered. It gives me immense pleasure to express that truth. I state it, not as a spectator, but as a living breathing witness of the capability to rise above barriers and roadblocks placed in our paths to discourage us.
(Note: For those who are inclined, you can read the full piece on my sister site www.torchblazers.blogspot.com)
Greetings -
ReplyDeleteTo all those who have the fear factor relative to job loss, it is a certainly a shock to our systems but our GOD tells us that He shall make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, and crooked places straight.
When I was dismissed from my job, I went into a deep depression (yes, as a saved, sanctified Christian!) Healing from the loss was a process.
I can say that every step of the way, our Lord
assured me that He would not fail or forsake me. And He never did.
Before that trial, I loved GOD - I learned in the trial to be IN love with GOD! He brought me to a place where I had more joy in Him in spite of my unemployment status. He is faithful to His Word to supply all of our needs.
My unemployment benefits expired. I had to go to the government for food stamps and other assistance. By the time I got to them, the Lord had delivered me from shame. Again, it was a process because I had worked pretty much steadily since I was 17 years old (now 54). All of these years, and I applied for food stamps in my 50's...
GOD can erase the fear and shame. One thing that He told me is that for all of my working years, I had put into the system, tax payments, etc. He stated that now the system was putting into me. He gave me the scripture in Isaiah 9:6, "...and the government shall be upon his shoulder:..." The food stamps are the Lord's. He has chosen that way to feed me. I believe that that is temporary but however long it has to be, I am not ashamed because GOD'S provisions can be administered anyway that He deems fit.
One benefit of my unemployment is that in March of this year, I was licensed as a home based business called Solid Journey that specializes in writing, editing, and consulting. It is not currently financially profitable but we walk by faith not by sight. I am rich in GOD. Praise His name.
Ecclesiastes 9:15
Now there was found in it a poor wise man,and he by his wisdom delivered the city;...