If you ask a question with a faulty premise. . .you will never get an accurate answer.

For instance, someone recently asked me:  “Why did God allow me to lose my job?”

The faulty assumption is that somehow its Gods fault because they’re now unemployed.

After several probing questions. . .I discovered this person didn’t praise God for the job they had. . .in fact, they complained about the job which meant, they weren’t asking God to protect their job because they didn’t like it.

So this person was blaming God. . .when, in fact, they were not doing some of the basic things God tells us in His Word. . .such as prayer and praise.

God only wants good things for His children.

Matthew 7:11 in the Amplified Bible says:

“If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him!”

Causing you to lose your job. . .is not a good gift. . .but it may be what happens if you keep on confessing the wrong things.

“I’m so tired of this job.”  “I want another job.”

If you lose your job. . .I can assure you that it had more to do with you than Him.

However, if in fact you lose your job. . .I strongly recommend you focus on and memorize 1 Corinthians 2:11 in the Amplified Bible which says:

“For what person perceives (knows and understands) what passes through a man’s thoughts except the man’s own spirit within him? Just so no one discerns (comes to know and comprehend) the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.”

As I was meditating on this teaching. . .it became very clear to me that a person should approach a job loss and the need for a new position from a spiritual dimension, first and foremost.

Here are seven things you need to do. . .if you lose your job.

1.         Focus on Him and His Promises To You.

No matter what life. . .circumstances or the enemy throws your way. . .you can have the confidence in knowing that He will make everything work for you. . .based on the promises in His Word.

Romans 8:28 in the Amplified Bible says:

“We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.”

Let me just tell you. . .it doesn’t give God any pleasure for you to be out of work.  In fact, the scriptures are filled with verses encouraging you to work.  So it would be hypocritical for God to tell you to work and then cause you to lose your job.

Philippians 2:13 in the Amplified Bible says:

“[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.”

If you lose your job. . .I have the seven most incredible words to speak to you.  Words that will position you for a better job than you’ve ever had previously.  Here they are:

Read Your Bible. . .Do What It Says.

When you heed these seven words. . .there are two things God will do for you.

First, your Heavenly Father will speak to you through His Word.

Second, as He speaks to you through His word. . .you will find your faith will increase to prepare you for any assault of the enemy.

2.         When you don’t know what to do next. . .God always does.

Deuteronomy 31:6,8 in the New Living Translation says:

“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

 

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you”

Ask Him for clear direction on the path you should take.

Isaiah 48:17 in the Message Bible says:

"I am God, your God, who teaches you how to live right and well. I show you what to do, where to go.”

Deuteronomy 34:9 in the New Living Translation says:

“Now Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him, doing just as the Lord had commanded Moses.”

The great news is that we may not know what to do. . .but He does.

Third, Don't Get Impatient For The Lord To Act.

James 1:4 in the New King James Version says:

But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

If God’s Word tells you something is going to happen. . . it will happen. . .it’s not a matter of if. . .but when.

Every promise in God’s Word is available to you . . . every benefit is yours for the taking. . .but there are times when you will just have to wait.

Psalm 27:14 says:

“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”

According to Strong’s Concordance the word wait is the Hebrew word qavah (H6960) and it means:

“to wait, look eagerly for, hope, expect.”

According to the Hebrew Lexicon it also means to be “strong and robust.”

In other words, your scriptural wait should be strong . . . filled with expectation. . . something that you’re eagerly expecting is on the way.

God is not a man that He should lie. . .what He has promised you will come to pass.

Numbers 23:19 in the New Living Translation says:

“God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?”

Here’s the bottom line.

Proverbs 4:5 says:

“Trust in the Lord always and lean not on your own understanding.”

Fourth, Don't Worry. . .Don’t Panic. . .Just Trust In Him.

I realize I shared Deuteronomy 31:6,8 in the New Living Translation with you in the second point. . .but I feel impressed to share it again says:

“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

When you focus on Him and His promises. . .you won’t worry.

God’s Word tells us not to worry. . .so if we worry. . .it means we don’t trust God.

Philippians 4:6 in the New Living Translation says:

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”

Matthew 6:34 in the New Living Translation says:

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

Prayer is either the antibiotic for worry or worry will be like praying in reverse. . .the choice. . .the decision is yours.  Don’t worry!  Trust God!

Once again, I’m prompted to speak seven words to you.

READ YOUR BIBLE…DO WHAT IT SAYS.

Fifth, Stay Away From Negative Conversations And People.

How can I say this nicely but still be direct?

Don’t listen to anybody who speaks negative thoughts into your life.  Avoid them like the plague. . .because that’s exactly what it is. . .a destructive, defeatist plague.

And most definitely, don’t commiserate with former co-workers who’ve also lost their jobs.

1 Corinthians 15:33 in the Amplified Bible says:

"Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character."

 

Spend your time with positive people who can encourage, exhort, edify, build you up and lift you up in your most Holy faith.

Proverbs 27:17 in the Contemporary English Version says:

“Just as iron sharpens iron, friends sharpen the minds of each other.”

If you’re the smartest person in your circle of friends. . .you need to add some new friends.  If you want to be a better player in any sport. . .you always play with someone better than you.

Proverbs 1:5 in the Amplified Bible says:

“The wise also will hear and increase in learning, and the person of understanding will acquire skill and attain to sound counsel [so that he may be able to steer his course rightly.”

Seek out people who are successful. . .don’t spend your time with neighbors, friends or co-workers who have trouble keeping a job or switch from job to job at their fancy. 

Proverbs 15:22 in the New Living Translation says:

“Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.”

6.         What do you do while you’re waiting for your next assignment/job?

As you’ve focused your faith during the first five points. . .now let’s look at specific, practical steps which will help you in getting hired for a new job.

1.         What can I do today to increase my value in the marketplace by sharpening my skill set?  This is a long list. . .read books and web postings on your chosen career field, attend workshops and conferences. . .take a course at the local community college. . . spend time with mentors. . .listen to CDs or watch DVDs that will motivate you in areas where you need to improve your problem-solving capabilities.

2.         Who should I call?  Make a list of people you think can help increase your aptitude and attitude in the marketplace.  Spend time with them.  Create a network of friends (the positive kind) who can help you.  If you’re a woman. . .talk with your hairdresser. . .you’d be amazed at what and who they know.  If you’re a man. . .talk with people you meet at family sporting events.

Always be looking for divine connections.

3.         Use the 7/11 formula for success.  Pray seven days a week for at least eleven minutes each time.  Pray for divine appointments, increased insight, problem-solving abilities and supernatural favor.

4.         Never go on an interview without praying.  Ask God to anoint your lips with words that need to be spoken and the wisdom to know when not to speak and/or what not to say.  Ask Him for favor in every interview.

And remember, always dress for the job you want. . .not the one you no longer have.

5.         Work on your resume.  Many potential employers will see your resume before they ever see you.  So you need to think about what your resume is saying about you that sets you apart from others.  If you need insights and/or guidelines on preparing a proper resume. . .just give me a call.

6.         Get up at your normal time….dress for work. . .do the things you would normally do when you were still on the job.  Changing your routine can be counter-productive and cause a person to become mentally, physically and even spiritually lethargic.

7.         Visit appropriate websites…job placement sites. . .staffing sites. . .classified ad listings in newspapers.  Do not surf the internet and drift into a cyber-daze until you’ve taken care of business.

One more word.  Do not allow yourself to drift into becoming a professional Facebook poster or a Twitter Tweet master. There is nothing wrong with either of these social media sites unless you spend hours wasting time.  Get in. . .post. . .and get out. Or set a timer and then get out when it goes off.

8.         Read at least one chapter in Psalms every day as these verses will comfort, strengthen and give you peace in the midst of every attack.  I even recommend you personalize some of the verses that speak to you the most.

9.         Create a confession for the kind of job you want.  “Heavenly Father, I thank you that I have the mind of Christ and it’s functioning fully and freely in me today.  I thank you that I will learn everything I need to know this day to sharpen my skills.  I thank you for divine connections and supernatural appointments.  I thank you that I’m working in your favor.  Father, I take dominion and authority over every trick, trap, lie, deception and wile of the enemy and that no weapon formed against me, my family, our health, our finances and the job you’ve got picked out for me. . .will prosper.  Thank you, Father, for your love for me, hearing my prayers and honoring this confession of mine.  In the strong name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.”

10.       Take care of your mental and spiritual health.  Resist the temptation to fall into a sedentary existence.  Exercise on a regular basis.  Don’t become a couch potato.

Stay focused and mentally sharp.  In fact, use this time to develop your skill set and determine areas of strengths and weaknesses.  I recommend you visit the two sites below.

a)         http://www.doleta.gov/jobseekers/ Employment and Training Administration (ETA) programs on the U.S. Department of Labor website offers resources and online tools to help workers in all stages of the job and career development.

b)         http://www.careeronestop.org/ This portal site provides a suite of tools for people to use at any stage in their career. Get a better job… Self-assessments… Browse occupations and industries… Employment trends… and more

Finally, the Forbes Magazine website offers some very insightful information and even, job listings.  Visit this site:  http://www.forbes.com/2009/05/26/job-seeking-websites-entrepreneurs-human-resources-monster.html

Seventh,  He's Watching Over You. . .Leading You In The Way You Should Go.

Isaiah 48:17 in the Message Bible says:

"I am God, your God, who teaches you how to live right and well. I show you what to do, where to go.”

When you keep the proper focus. . .meaning you are focused on Him. . .you’ve got to know He will cause the right door to open...with the right job...at the right location....with the right salary and benefits....the right supervisors....and yes, right now.’

One more thing, God is doing more for you right now that you can’t see . . .so He can bring into manifestation the things you can see.

Psalm 32:8 in the Amplified Bible says:

“I [the Lord] will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.”

Make no mistake about it. . .God is with you every step of the way.

Joshua 1:9 in the Message Bible says:

“. . .God, your God, is with you every step you take."

Not only is God with you. . .every step of the way. . .but He has His eyes upon you.  He’s watching you.  As the popular saying goes: He’s got your back.

 

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