Unemployment Blessings
/ Encountering God in workplace difficulties /
Photo courtesy/Chen Zhaoli
Unemployment notes written in January 2003
This winter, the snow seems to have arrived earlier than in previous years, and there is also a lot of snow. In the morning, sitting at my desk, looking at the snow falling outside the window, and the extraordinarily quiet and pure world in the snow, I couldn’t help but think of how long, wide, high and deep the love of the Lord Jesus Christ is. Although our sins are as scarlet, He is Make us white as snow with hyssop.
It has been more than nine months since I was unemployed. Although most of my job applications have come to nothing with no response, what I have experienced in Christ is heavenly peace, joy and countless grace from the Lord.
During the recession, our company also experienced several layoffs, but I was lucky enough to stay. So when this wave of layoffs, which numbered 13%, started, I didn’t pay much attention, thinking that it probably wouldn’t be my turn. .
But the day came, and the boss personally invited me to his office for a talk. He first talked about the current situation of the company, and then talked about the company's decisions and his helplessness as a boss. Only then did I realize the possibility of being laid off, and my mind wandered. How would I react if it was really my turn? anger? Frustrated? Shock? numbness? Or force a smile and maintain your grace?
▲When the author (right)’s eldest son was in grade 11, the whole family took a photo after winning an award at school.
I also thought that as Christians, what we have always learned is to rely entirely on the Lord. The Lord Jesus “is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1); Paul While in chains, he still wrote to the church in Philippi, exhorting them again and again to "rejoice in the Lord always" (Philippians 3:1; 4:4). James also exhorted us to "rejoice in the Lord always." Count it all joy in the midst of various trials” (James 1:2). So, what will happen to me today? I gradually became curious and secretly prayed in my heart, hoping that I would not dishonor the Lord’s name.
After a long introduction, the boss finally got to the point: Unfortunately, I became one of the laid off employees. Then the boss continued to express his regrets in a very painful way, hoping that I could understand his difficulties. To be honest, I didn't feel dissatisfied or sad at all at that time. On the contrary, I felt very calm. The Lord Jesus values me and wants to send me to the school of faith for re-education. How small and weak I am, yet He promised me to hold me up with His mighty hand, "Do not be afraid, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God, and I will strengthen you. , I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10) Hallelujah, praise the Lord, and may all glory be to the Lord!
I smiled and comforted my boss and said, "It doesn't matter. I am a Christian. I believe that everything is the will of God, and this one is no exception. I believe that God must have the best arrangement for me." Next. I am grateful for his trust and support over the past five years of working together, as well as for some pleasant memories. The boss seemed a little surprised by my reaction, and we ended the conversation in a pleasant atmosphere.
Thank the Lord, all the riches of God have been given to us in Christ. If we have the Lord Jesus, don’t we also have everything? Since our God is omniscient and omnipotent, doesn’t God the Father already know whatever happens to me today? Doesn’t He give the best to His children? "He who did not spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how will he not also with him freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32) The Lord Jesus also taught us in the Sermon on the Mount not to Worry about tomorrow. If the Lord feeds the birds of the sky and the lilies of the field, how much more for us, His beloved children?
Therefore, I face this unemployment with a calm heart, because I firmly believe that the loving Father God will have His perfect will, and in His eternal plan, I will be tested and become a vessel suitable for the Lord. . In prayer, the Lord also promised me, “…the tried faith is more precious than gold which perishes even though it is tested by fire.” (1 Peter 1:7).
Thank the Lord, I have experienced countless graces in the past nine months: a closer relationship with the Lord, more time to spend with my family, care and prayers from brothers and sisters, and service. You are stronger, your body is healthier, and the heavenly peace and joy He gives you are so precious. All these are divine gifts. As for what tomorrow will bring, as long as we keep our eyes on Christ, the author and finisher of our faith, we will not lose heart, because what He promises will surely come true.
▲When the cherry blossoms were in full bloom in 2016, the author and his wife enjoyed the cherry blossoms together.
Thanksgiving in June 2016
Ten months after writing the above unemployment record, in November 2003, I found my current job. The company is stable, treats employees well, and I don’t have to worry about layoffs. Thank God, He has given me far more than I could ask for or imagine.
During the nineteen months I was unemployed, I truly experienced God’s rich grace and was filled with joy every day. I often shared with my brothers and sisters in the Lord that I was actually not unemployed, I just changed jobs. Because our jobs are given to us by God, God asked me to change my job from my original company to my home. The only difference is that one job is paid and the other is unpaid; but the two jobs All work has the same purpose, which is to glorify God. No matter which job we do, we must do our part and do well what God has entrusted to us.
Therefore, these nineteen months have been the happiest time for our family. I spend a lot of time with my two children, especially the eldest, who was in his first year of high school at the time. I took him to and from school every day. No matter what time the club he joined ended, I would pick him up on time. After taking them home, we will also prepare some simple food for them to add to their meals. For a while, I practiced tennis with him every day because he wanted to join the school tennis team.
At the same time, because my wife was not in good health at that time, I did a lot of housework, stayed with the children after dinner, and supervised homework so that she could have a good rest after get off work and have no worries. At the same time, I still have a lot of time to accompany my parents to see the doctor and chat with them. What a joy.
▲The author and his wife took a photo at James Madison University during the church retreat in 2016.
I also had many job interviews at that time, and I felt that there were great opportunities, but I was rejected all of them later. But my heart is at peace, because I know that if this job is prepared by God the Father for me, then I will never lose it; if it is not prepared by God the Father, then it would not be a pity to lose it.
At the same time, I discovered a secret to joy in suffering, which is to always count God’s grace. When we see what we don’t have, our heart will be dissatisfied; but when we count God’s grace, we will find that God has given us far more than we deserve, and our heart will be filled with gratitude.
Looking back, I can see that being unemployed is really God’s good intention. His purpose is to build me up and strengthen my reliance and faith in Him. I thank God because His abundant love and grace have led me through high mountains and low valleys. Although I have been unemployed for nineteen months, my family and I are all happy because of this. We are closer to God and receive more abundant blessings from God. Bless.
Author profile Chen Zhaoli is from Taiwan and works as a computer engineer in the United States. He currently lives in Maryland and actively participates in church service.