In Between Jobs – Why Me God?

Dan Murphy was a successful business executive who was living the dream of having influence and making big money until one day, the unthinkable happened—he got fired. It came out of the blue—a shock. Dan found himself out of work for six months. It was a time filled with stress and constant anxiety over what to do next. Dan searched frantically, with job hunting taking over his entire life. Fortunately, he landed a job earning the same income with the same benefits, so his life was restored to what he considered normal. But once again, Dan was let go from his position.

Something was different this go-around, though, Dan was at total peace. He didn’t feel the need to strive and exhaust himself to find that next position; he knew everything was going to be just fine. Dan enjoyed the time with his wife and family, as opposed to the past when he always put his job first. Although they cut back on their discretionary spending, provision was made for his family as every single one of their needs was met. During this process, Dan and his wife learned how to manage their money together for the first time in 20 years of marriage. This time, even though it took him 10 months to find a new position, Dan experienced true peace and assurance. Why was it so different? The answer: Dan asked God to take control. I mean total surrender to the Lord with a faith that knows our God is in control and He has a reason and purpose for these out-of-work situations to occur.

Dan was tired and worn out from trying to do everything his way as opposed to the Master’s way. Dan felt an intimate presence with God that he had never experienced. Dan asked God to take control of his life and He responded by taking care of Dan and his family—financially, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. God used Dan’s unemployment to dramatically alter the course of his life.

God can do the same for you.

When we are between jobs, some obvious questions certainly come to mind: “Why did I lose my job? “What is going on?” “I’ve always been a good employee!” “Why me?” “Why did God let this happen?”

Do any of these questions sound familiar? If you are like most people, you want to know why you lost your job and you question why God allowed it to happen during tough economic times. God, why did you do this to me?

From a spiritual viewpoint, the answer could be one of many:

• God wants to get my attention.
• God wants to have a closer relationship with me.
• God wants to give me an opportunity for salvation.
• God did this so that His work might be displayed in my life.
• God wants to humble me.
• God wants to remove me from what is now or could later become a bad situation.
• God wants me to pay more attention to some other area of my life.
• My job was too important to me—it stood between me and my relationship with Him.
• God wants to build my character.

As with the story of Dan, God had several purposes that He accomplished through his unemployment. The most important lesson that Dan learned was that for 20 years, he had worshipped another God—success. His idols were status, prestige, power and money. Dan had to lose that job in order to learn it wasn’t worth bowing to a false god. He learned the one true God, the Creator, our Majestic King had a better way and purpose for his life.

Maybe one of the reasons given above applies to you. Maybe it’s another reason. The fact is, there are many possible reasons why you might have lost your job. They could be in the spiritual realm, the physical realm, or a combination of both. Only God knows why you lost your job. The Bible tells us that no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2:11).

Therefore, until God Himself reveals the truth to you, you cannot and you will not know the reason. When will God tell you? You won’t know that either. God may choose not to tell you for a long time. He may have a reason why you should not know quite yet. So what should you do? I recommend meditating on and memorizing the following Scriptures:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. —Romans 8:28

For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose. —Philippians 2:13

From this text, you can be assured of the following:

1. God is at work. God is at work in the middle of your circumstances.
2. God has a specific plan and purpose that will be accomplished as a result of your job loss if you submit to that plan and purpose.
3. God’s plan and purpose are the ultimate good for you.
4. If you allow God to work in your life, you will be better off because you lost your job than if you had not (like Dan).

In summary, unless God tells you otherwise, don’t spend your time questioning God or trying to understand all of the dimensions of why you are unemployed. Rather, in all humility, sincerity and trust, ask God:

Now that I find myself in this position, how do You want me to respond?

What do You want me to do right now?

I close by sharing some powerful Scripture for those who are struggling and hurting during these tough economic times:

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit. —Jeremiah 17:7–8