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Do you remember playing team sports as a child? Did you hate being picked last or, if the teams were uneven, being asked to, sit this one out? Unfortunately, that feeling of being overlooked or left out never seems to go away on its own.
When I got laid off in 2017, my instinct was to return to the emotions from my childhood. At 51, after 16 years of devoted service, I was being told the team no longer needed me and the company no longer wanted my service. I was suddenly out of a job.
But instead of returning to those familiar feelings of rejection and loss, I went out on a limb and trusted God. And I am so glad I did. I saved so much time and energy not worrying, complaining, lamenting or questioning what was happening around me.
Instead, I embraced my time of refreshing. I told myself, ‘You’re okay whether you are on the team or not. God’s got it all under control.’
During my time on the sidelines, I have been blessed to publish my first book, Time to Refresh: A 21-Day Devotional to Renew Your Mind After Being Laid Off, Fired or Sidelined. So many people have told me how the book is blessing them. You can check out a few comments here.
The road ahead
Below are five steps I took to help me deal with my layoff. I originally offered this list to my sister in Christ, Wendi, and her readers over at Strength 4 Spouses. Look at the list and offer any additional tips on how to hold on to faith during difficult times.
Be honest about how you feel
When faced with difficult times, tell God exactly how you feel. If you are mad, frustrated, or worried, let God know your heart. If you are having a hard time, ask God to show you how to deal with what’s going on in your life.
Ask God for help
According to research compiled by Barna Group, of the American adults who regularly pray, only 49% ask for guidance during a personal crisis. Don’t be afraid to ask God for help. He does not expect you to figure everything out on your own.
Be prepared to fight for your faith
Ephesians 6:10-20 represents a call to battle in a spiritual war. The imagery of battle comes to life in verses 14-17 as we see a warrior outfitted with God’s armor, clad with truth, justice, salvation, and faith. During the hardest times of your life, the enemy will attack your faith. Put on your armor to defend your faith in God.
Grow your faith
It’s one thing to say you have faith, and quite another thing to act like it. If you feel overwhelmed about the difficulty you face, go to God’s Word for guidance. As you continue to learn about faith, put God’s Word into action.
Find a mentor
Ask a mature Christian friend to mentor you during tough times. Learn from his or her walk with Christ.
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