BGEA: It's been more than a year since I've had a job. I feel so useless and hopeless. Maybe you can give me some encouragement.

Our town has had some real problems with unemployment, and it's been more than a year since I've had a job. I feel so useless and hopeless. Maybe you can give me some encouragement. No one else has been able to. — D.W.S.

The most encouraging thing I can tell you is that God has not forgotten you. He knows all about you, and He cares about you and wants to help you.

This is why I urge you to turn to Him and commit this problem—and your whole life—into Christ's hands. Right now you may be wondering if God loves you—but He does, and the proof is that He was willing to send His only Son into the world to die for you. One of the Bible's greatest promises is found in Psalm 34:18: "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Pause right now and thank Him for this truth, and for His love for you.

Then ask God to show you the next step He wants you to take. Perhaps He wants you to renew your search for a job; perhaps He wants you to enroll in a job retraining program. Or perhaps He wants you to use the time you have right now to help others—volunteering in a local food bank, for example, or working in a community program through your church.

In addition, let this be a time when you grow closer to your family—and to God. In other words, see this time not only as a problem, but also as an opportunity—an opportunity to grow in your relationships with others and with God. If you do, once this time of unemployment is over you'll be able to look back and thank God for being with you, even in the midst of life's hard times.

6 Comments

Swee says 5.28.2012, 09:26 a.m.

I am being stifled and bullied, health affected therefore have to quit. I'm terrified but I believe God is holding my hand and Holy Spirit will open doors of opportunity for me in Jesus name.

Jess says 6.8.2011, 06:23 a.m.

I didn't have a job for 10 years now. I used to feel so useless and hopeless, but now I am serving in a church and doing missions work. In these past 10 years God provided everything I needed and helped me pay off my debts. I still had money to give to God and help others. I also got a chance to go to 3 missions trips and led lots of children to Christ. If I had a job I was not able to do that. The most rewarding thing in these past 10 years was I finished reading my Bible.

Sue says 10.25.2010, 4:53 p.m.

I feel your pain Helen, I am in the same position you are in. God help us both. Take care.

juan carlos says 9.7.2010, 01:09 a.m.

Helen; i am in your situation. i understand sister what you are feeling, because i feel the same way; but God can still use you and me. i am about to start a new training at 59 in order to get a job and i have hope that this is going to take me somewhere where God will use me and provide for me; do not gave up pray and pray with others for a job. if you knew how many times i have been with out of work you wouldn't believe, but God never fails that i know Hellen, you will get a job. Bless you.

peggy says 9.6.2010, 1:20 p.m.

THROUGH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE, TALK TO HIM, HE ALREADY KNOWS WHATS IN YOUR HEART AND WHAT YOU NEED. ASK HIM FOR HELP AND HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN. WALK AND LIVE BY FAITH TRUST IN THE LORD AND LET HIM DO HIS JOB . I TOO AM UNEMPLOYED AND IN NEED. GOD KNOWS WHAT I NEED AND I WILL BE JUST FINE BECAUSE I LOVE HIM WITH ALL MY HEART AND MIND AND I TRUST HIM AND I WALK IN FAITH, iF YOU LET GOD DO FOR YOU WHAT HE ALREADY HAS PLANNED FOR YOU. YOU TO WILL BE JUST FINE TRUST HIM, GOD LOVES YOU.

helen says 9.6.2010, 08:17 a.m.

i don't know what is planned for my future, i have no permanent job, i really dont know what my gift is. I'm not a graduate and so it's difficult for anyone to give me a job. i look around, people have moved to so many levels in their life, and im just here.