Everyday I talk to people who are struggling to find work. The pressures of our crippled economy have had a devastating impact not only on our finances, but on the overall confidence of millions of people. Maybe you are among the multitudes who are struggling to make ends meet right now, and you find yourself feeling hopeless and even angry. You ask questions like “Where are you God?” and you seem to hear no reply.
I don’t pretend to have a simple, magic answer to instantly eliminate your doubts and give you peace and prosperity, but there are a few things I want to share with you that I believe are personal messages to you from God. My prayer is that you find some hope in knowing that these words are true and they apply directly to your situation.
1. You are not defined by what you do. We tend to have an identity crisis when our means of making a living is taken from us, but God promises that our limitless value is found in Him, not in our vocation. You are valued because you are loved, not because you are employed.
2. God is with you. You might not feel Him, but He promises that He will “never leave you or forsake you” and He keeps His promises! I know you feel alone right now, but don’t trust your feelings; trust your God. He hasn’t abandoned you. He will carry you through this.
3. This Time you’ve been given is a Gift, not a Curse. God is growing you right now. He’s stretching you which isn’t a comfortable process, but it is strengthening your character. He may also be giving you time that you’ve not had in the past and that time is a gift. Use it invest in relationships, spend more time in God’s Word, more time talking with your family, encouraging your friends and exploring the opportunities God will bring your way.
4. God has great things in store for you. You might believe that your best days are behind you, but they are not! God promises that He has great blessings in store for you. Those blessings aren’t limited to jobs and finances; they include rich relationships, increased faith, and the joy that comes from knowing and trusting God.
“For I know the plans I have for you declares the LORD; plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Soul Caffeine 
Thanks I needed that today
Definitely can relate, Dave and all of this is so true. This can even be true of a job that you are currently in that you know you aren’t called to do, so…..Yeah!
All too often we look at life in the rear view mirror but I am a firm believer that the best days are always ahead of us if we have faith. Dave, you know the struggles my family has endured and things are turning around. Certainly, this time has allowed us to reflect, find strength in each other, and talk more. I’ve been helping out career shifters and small business owners.. Opportunity is out there but we have to remembera’ that we are not alone. It’s a time for change and growth for all.
Thank you for this. I really needed this.
Great – and so much needed – post, Dave! Thank you!
I really appreciate that ! I was Layed off a year ago and have had to work 2 and 3 jobs to make up for the one with no Medical Insurance either and a recent Surgery back in Feb. 2012. I have had to change jobs due to availability of the job i was in and for a long time fought with an Identity issue…feeling out of place where my job was concerned. However, God is good and He has used this time as you have said to deepen my relationship with Him and He has done amazing things Spiritually in me this last year. I Love Him more than ever and He is Everything to me ! It has taken me a long time to realize that i am not defined by what i do but by Whose I am ! Praise God ! I’m still struggling Financially but have His Promise it’s not for long, things are changing for the better. Praise God ! Praise God ! Praise God ! It’s in times like this that we really realize who we are and why we really serve Him….because of who He is or what He gives us ? Alot of things have been taken from me in Life including Both parents and a little Brother which left me and my older Brother to face life head on together side by side and I can testify that God is a Good God and that He is Faithful down to a Thousand Generations Deut. 7:9 ! He has never left us nor Forsaken us…NOT ONCE ! I can Honestly say I serve Him for who He is – My Heavenly Father. Thankyou for your Encouraging Blog and Tweets. You are making a difference for Christ and your like me determined not leaving this world the way you found it but better ! May God Continue to Bless You He certainly is Blessing Me Daily with Himself ! I Love you Lord Jesus !
Thank you for sharing this! God has carried you through so much and you have persevered because of your faith and determination. Your story is an inspiration. I pray God’s continued blessings for you.
Forgot to mark to notify me with Follow up comments. LOL !
Thankyou. To God Be The Glory Forever And Ever and I Thank Jesus for His Patience…LOL ! I pray that everyone would feel and KNOW the Love of God like my Family and I do and that whoever reads this would come to realize and see Jeremiah 29:10-13 for themselves. Whoever you Are ??? (reading this right now)…..God’s Waiting on you, YES YOU…with His arms open wide….don’t walk…RUN to Him…..NOW!