Unemployment doesn’t HAVE to result in desperation!

Unemployment can undoubtedly result in desperation. When Heather found herself unemployed as a single mother, where would she turn?

This is how Heather tells her story.

My boss called me into his office after lunch on a Tuesday afternoon. Didn’t seem like a big deal. I went over there and was totally caught off guard. Because of the effects of the slow economy, I was being laid off. I was told I was a wonderful employee for the last eight years and that it wasn’t anything personal, just my particular position was being eliminated. I was told I could gather my things and go home and come back later to clear out my desk.

This really shook my world up.

I had BIG choices to make! I could have reacted so many different ways.

Of course, I was upset, and it wasn’t the plan I would have chosen. But that day, I chose to believe God is who He says He is and trust Him to provide for my three children and me!

Thru this layoff, I was able to be a witness to my former co-workers and show them that Christ really does make a difference.

I was able to give God the glory thru this!

God has also given me so much extra time with my children that I am treasuring while doing my “dream job” of being a stay-at-home mommy. While I know this is a temporary job since the pay is low, I am enjoying every moment I can!

God also has provided me with so much extra rest! Being a single mom to three kids for five years has been exhausting! I didn’t even know to ask God for a break, and yet in His mercy, He decided to give me such a great break during a time when I needed it!

Now I’m waiting.

While I am waiting for God to show me the next path He wants me to take, I am watching Him continue to provide for my family and me exceedingly and abundantly!

He continues to amaze me constantly! He more than meets our needs! And He even meets so many of our wants! He has provided for my son to go on a summer mission trip and my daughter to attend church camp. And so many other things!

I choose to find Christ relevant.

I could have so easily slipped into a time of depression on that day in January. That would have been my normal defense mechanism.

But I am so thankful that I have learned how to find Christ relevant to every area of my life. I choose to believe the truth about God!

Relevant: having significant and demonstrable bearing on the matter at hand; affording evidence tending to prove or disprove the matter at issue or under discussion (Webster’s dictionary).

The Bible says,

And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT

How is Christ relevant to your life?

God provides EVERYTHING that we need. He provides and increases so that we can be filled and share with others. When we feel the most depleted, we need only to rely on His abundant provision that He supplies. Then we may accomplish everything He has for us to do as we bring glory to Him.

Instead of desperation, pray.

Father, when I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray. Thank You that You are the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from Your glorious, unlimited resources You will continue to empower me with inner strength through Your Spirit. I want You to make Your home in my heart as I trust in You. Make my roots grow down into Your love and keep me strong. Continuously give me the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep Your love is. May I experience Your love, though it is too great to understand fully. Then I will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from You. All glory goes to You, God, who is able, through Your mighty power at work within me, to accomplish infinitely more than I might ask or think. Glory to You through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:14–21

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