As anyone who has been through job transition realizes, the daily emotional roller coaster job searchers face can be very difficult. Particularly testing are the valleys of despair, the “agony of defeat” (cue the 1970’s version of ABC Wide World of Sports with the depiction of the downhill skier wiping out), and the ongoing challenge of needing to be “on” for that random call from a recruiter.

This month our blog posts will feature different support elements we believe are critical to those in job transition, whether unemployed or unfulfilled at work. This series on support goes hand-in-hand with yesterday’s podcast interview with Dale Kreienkamp. We encourage you to check out his book, “How Long O Lord, How Long? Devotions for the Unemployed and Those Who Love Them” on his website or on Amazon.

The first structural element of support is God’s Word, and it is foundational to all other sources of support (such as family, friends, professional networks, and job-search support organizations). All truth stems from Scripture, so for each of us to be grounded in what it has to teach us is critical. While there are many areas of support available to us from the Bible, today we’ll highly four topics and supporting Scriptures that I’ve personally experienced in my own transitions and seen in hundreds of others. Check out our 1-800-Dear-God Heavenly Blue Pages resource for even more scriptural responses to life’s challenges.

Unknowns 

Joshua 1:8-9 says, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not command you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

The Bible serves as God’s operating manual for our lives. Stay grounded in it for direction and counsel.

God’s Timing

Psalms 27:14 states, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

I don’t know about you, but I hate to wait! Whether I was unemployed, and (almost more so) when I was unfulfilled, I wanted action! Waiting wasn’t high on my list. Yet I learned that His timing is ALWAYS better than mine. So, while I tried to diligently work hard, I kept taking comfort that His timing is best.

Purpose

We’re told in Jeremiah 29:11-13, “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, pleads to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.’”

While this well-known passage is directed to the exiled Israelites, the principles still apply to us today. He has a plan and purpose for each individual…we need to seek that out – no time like the present!

Prayer

Psalm 90:17 says, “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us – yes, establish the work of our hands.” We encourage you not to pray alone for your transition. We would love to stand alongside you in prayer to lift you and your needs up to our Lord. More prayer, more power!

An adage I’ve held for years with people going through transition is “Don’t go through this alone!” Ensuring you’re aligned with God’s word, His timing, His purpose, and prayer is the best way to start! 

Dave Sparkman currently serves as the volunteer Crossroads Career board chair and local ministry leader. He is also the founder and managing director of Spark Your Culture, a corporate culture consulting firm. Prior to that he worked at UnitedHealth Group, a Fortune #5 public company, serving in the role of Chief Culture Officer. His unemployment experience came from the implosion of Arthur Andersen, where he served as the West Region Managing Partner, People.