Here are some articles that are really uplifting (in a literal and metaphorical sense). Unemployed, worried, frustrated, but always looking up to God. I suppose it’s always nice to hear of people, especially Christians, going through similar trials, and to know that you’re not alone at this stage in life. Yes, it sometimes feels as though God doesn’t care, or that He’s so far away from you, but reading these articles helps put things back into perspective. God’s always with you (Yahweh, God with us), and He knows what you need. Financial problems? God knows. Relationship problems? He’s there. Health struggles? Yep, He’s the healer. And so with work, that He knows what we need and He provides in our times of difficulties and struggles. Read the articles and I’m sure you’ll be encouraged.
A corporate trainer doesn’t let unemployment get her down. By Beth Carey.
Daddy at the unemployment line, by Jeffrey Dunetz.
The Bible on unemployment, by Phil Wheeler.
God provided for us while I was unemployed, by Jamie.
Unemployment: A gift in disguise, by Candace Simar.
Here’s a great verse(s) from scripture to remind us of God’s presence and sovereignty during our times of loneliness and isolation.
“When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:21-26).
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December 17, 2007 at 3:54 am
Bruce
Hello
When you check your URL referrers, I’m the one that came to your site via Google with the search “biblical hope for the unemployed”
Since June I have been trusting in the Lord that a job would appear…I still cling to that trust though the UI is about to run out in a couple of weeks, and I have had zero (or nearly zero) response to countless resumes and applications sent out.
To further add to the clouds that attempt to obscure the Light and Hope of God’s Grace, Love and Sovereignty, we are waiting to learn if my already disabled wife has pancreatic cancer.
Uncertainty looms on all horizons.
I didn’t intend to burden you with my worries, but, if nothing else, it will give some meaning to my ‘thank you’ for sharing your thoughts as you journey through your trials. I’ve been toying with the notion of chronicling my recent travails at our own blog set up for the Christian Soldiers’ Word of Mouth Ministries Newsletter at http://rei-resource.com/blog – I’m not sure exactly what is holding me back…perhaps the desire to have a God Glorifying happy ending testimonial?
I did try to share my thoughts during the previous period of employment in an article entitled ‘Christian Duties’ http://christiansoldiers.real-estate-investors-resource.com/newsletters/cs_news_vol1-10.htm:
***
[Excerpt regarding being salt and light]
Putting this into practice requires more than a passive role. Often it requires us to step outside of our comfort zones and, perhaps, to cross some conventional lines of ‘political correctness’. It also requires us to set aside certain preconceived notions or misconceptions and actually inquire into the eternal security of our acquaintances, neighbors and co-workers.
Think about it; when is the last time someone inquired into your eternal security?
Even as I write this, I am aware that I assume I am writing to a Christian audience, just as I generally assume that most of the people who I encounter on a daily basis must surely be brothers and sisters in Christ! Imagine my surprise when I had a conversation some time back with a fellow who, upon inquiry, professed to be a Buddhist. He cited a number of reasons why Christianity and Judaism did not hold credibility for him. Regrettably, I did not have an opportunity to witness more to him before he departed from my sphere of influence. I can only pray that a seed was sown during our brief discussion.
I have recently separated from a place of employment, which kept me on the road and away from home anywhere from 10 – 14 hours per day and placed me in direct contact with many hundreds of folks on a weekly basis. As I mused upon why the Good Lord would place me in a position that kept me from my family so much I decided that it was evidently NOT for the money, as the return on the time invested was quite bleak.
It quickly became obvious to me that there must be a greater purpose and I began to look for opportunities to share various aspects of my faith and convictions, as unobtrusively as possible, while fully performing my job function.
Management recently told me that I was prohibited from discussing politics and religion with customers, although there is no prohibition on tangential chit-chat, in general. Before I had fully decided to what degree I should comply with their mandate, my position was abruptly terminated, although I had not found any opportunities to speak on the tabooed subject(s) in the interim. A case can be made on both sides of the issue…
***
Well, thanks again for the encouragement. Now I’m off to check out the article links you posted.
I wish you all the best in your life and, by all means, keep on blogging.
Blessings.
Bruce
http://christiansoldiersonline.org