Every Year hundreds of workers are put out of their jobs because of layoffs. According to the employers, this is a way of cutting costs and improving production.
When sister Emily noticed that the company she worked with started to lay off some technicians and refused to improve her salary, she updated her resume and applied to other places for a job. There are many more like Emily around right now. The advice is, “Be aware of what’s going on where you work. Listen and watch the trends at your workplace.”
Signs
Watch out for lack of support, exclusion from important meetings or new projects and office rumours about potential mergers or layoffs. If the layoff is a surprise, use this as an opportunity to be creative and begin an exciting new career.
Back to school
Sometimes there is nothing immediate. Don’t sit and mope. Instead do some more studies to enhance your present qualifications. This may take a few months, and by God’s grace a new job may be secured by then. People with positive attitudes who work hard and who put their trust in God will come out on top.
Opportunity to pursue dreams
There was much frustration and complaining when the ancillary workers at a certain school were told that their services would be terminated at the end of the term. It was based on last come first go. However, after four or five months, those same people seemed to have organized themselves in small businesses and so on. They pointed out that life had improved. They had a stronger sense of self-worth, greater control of their careers, and were pursuing dreams that offered personal satisfaction.
Emotional stages
Losing a job can cause shock, fear, anxiety, resistance, anger and blame, but after awhile acceptance and exploration. At this time, you really wonder if it’s really you that is out of a job. Whatever am I going to do? How are the bills going to be taken care of? There is the mortgage! The children have to go to school! And so on.
Some people become very depressed and sad. Others are disturbed mentally, emotionally, even physically.
The way forward
Acceptance and exploration are the way out. This is more positive. You go to God in prayer. You begin to look forward and explore new possibilities. In order to get rid of some of the stress at this time, you may need to exercise, meditate on positive things, eat healthily (if you can afford the food!) and take enough rest. Talk and discuss the problem with another brother or sister whom you trust, a friend or a relative. There is no need to give up on yourself. Use the opportunity to prove your faith in God, the great provider; He will bless your plans and let them work.
God does care
Many of us have had experiences when things are down and out, and just then we have to smile and say, “Thank you, Lord, for your providing hands.” God has a way of sending help when you are in great need. In Matthew 10:29-31, Jesus reminds us that God cares for the sparrows which are so insignificant and He will most certainly provide for His people — if only we put our trust in Him. Have you ever tried to count the hairs on your head? Maybe it seems impossible. Well, God knows the number of everybody’s hairs! What a mighty God we serve!
So in case you are being laid off at your workplace, think of God caring for the lilies, the fowls of the air and the grass of the field, and He will surely care for you.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One