Dealing with unemployment

Job loss is time to remember who holds it all together   

   On April 15, 2011, I joined over 13 million Americans in the unemployment line.  It's now been a full month since I lost my job and began the frustrating process of "restarting" my career.
   Like others in the same jobless situation, I've gone through all the emotions.  I know the fear of looking into an unknown future and stack of bills, while wondering if I will ever find a good paying job again.  I understand how a man can feel worthless, watching helplessly every day as his wife goes off to work and he stays home to send off applications and browse sites like Monster.com. 
   But it's during those tough times in our lives that God seems to be able to teach us the most important lessons.  In the case of unemployment, it's a great opportunity to learn again how to depend on God and not on what money can bring.
   For many of us, it's much easier to trust in our bank accounts than having the faith God will be able to provide for our needs.  But here is what Jesus says in Matthew 6:


   Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?
   Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
   And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
   So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
(NIV)


    If we were really honest, most of us could admit that the reason we seek bigger and better jobs is usually to buy more stuff and live a more luxurious lifestyle. Many times, that pursuit then forces us to sacrifice the more important things in our lives.
    How many of us while "working our fingers to the bone" say we don't have time to pray, read our Bible or volunteer at church?  Could we spend more time with our spouse or our kids?
   Of course, God wants us to work hard and be useful with the life we've been given.  But he doesn't want our work (and the pursuit of earthly riches) to consume us, or cause us to worry.
   During this "season" without a job, it's best to remember who gave each of us the ability to work in the first place.  He cares about us and will provide.  In the meantime, it's a great opportunity to refocus our time on what is most important in this life.