Doesn’t God Care?

Being unemployed is scary! Things are happening over which we have no control. We can feel helpless and worthless as more and more employers decide we're not right for their job openings.

This desperate fear can even occur to those of us who consider ourselves Christians. We go to church, we pray, we try to live a God-pleasing life, we may even read our Bibles. But here we are - unemployed. This isn't supposed to happen to us. We're supposed to be God's people - His blessed. What's going on? We are in this terrible predicament, scared, and suffering. Doesn't God care? Why doesn't He do something?

There was a time in the New Testament when the disciples felt the same way. In Mark 4:35-40 they found themselves in a boat, at sea, in a fierce storm. Why were they there? Because Jesus told them to be there (vs. 36). It was a dangerous situation. Some of them were professional fishermen and they were scared (vs. 35). And where was Jesus? He was with them. But He was asleep! As a Christian you know Jesus is with you but do you ever think He's asleep - or just not paying attention? The apostles did. In fact, they came to Him and woke Him up with an accusation. The same accusation we can express when we're going through the storm of unemployment. "Lord, don't You care that we are perishing?"

If they would have stopped and thought about it, they would have figured out that they were right where Christ told them to be. Doing exactly what He had told them to do. If they drowned in the storm so would Jesus because they were in the boat together. But they didn't think it through and they panicked.

You know that, as a Christian, Jesus is with you in this boat of unemployment. In the second half of Matthew 28:20 Jesus said, "And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (New Living Translation) Don't panic.
It doesn't make our fear seem so bad when even the apostles could feel the same way we do. When Jesus woke up, He identified the problem. The apostles weren't willing to have faith and ride out the storm trusting that He knew what He was doing.

In spite of the small and fearful faith of the apostles, Jesus calmed the sea. But that's not all He calmed (vs. 40). God has a message for us as we go through the storms of life - a message of reassurance even in the storm of joblessness.

Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, 

The God who is our salvation. 

Psalm 68:19 (New American Standard Bible - Updated)

Promises, Promises

Once upon a time there was a young man who was hopelessly lost in the forest. He had searched and searched, looked and looked, and still couldn't find his way out. He was becoming frightened. "What happens if I never find my way," he said. "I'll die here in the forest and no one will even know." The young man even embarrassed himself by shedding a few frightened tears.

Then he began to pray. He hadn't prayed before or, at least, not very often. He really didn't even know how to put his need into the correct "official" words of prayer. So he began, "God, if you're there, I need help. My name is Frank, but I guess you know that. I'm really lost, but I guess you know that too. If you help me find help I promise I'll be a good person from now on. I'll go to church every Sunday, or at least I'll try. I'll talk to you more often. I won't break as many of your rules. I'll do anything you want, if you'll just save my life. I'll even be a missionary if that's what you want!"

Suddenly, as he was praying and stumbling along, the young man broke through a hedge of bushes and found himself on a road with a sign that read, "Gas, Food, Phone, Restrooms - 5 Miles." Immediately he gave a huge sigh of relief and finished his prayer with, "Oh, never mind. I found my own way out."

How like Frank we are. When things are tough we try to get God on our side with promises. Promises, Promises. We'll say anything. Promise anything we think will help. We think if God likes what He hears maybe we'll get a miracle.

"For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords.

He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, 

who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed. 

Deuteronomy 10:17 (New Living Translation)

There was another time when a young man named Peter had gotten himself into trouble. He had climbed out of a perfectly good boat on the Sea of Galilee. Everything had gone fine for a minute or two, then it dawned on him where he was and what he was doing. Even though he was doing a good thing and moving toward his master, Jesus, he realized how much danger he was really in and he began to sink. To his credit, he didn't start making Jesus promises or commitments. He just reached toward Jesus and yelled out, "Save me!" That's all it took. Jesus snatched him out of the danger. He was safe in the arms of his Lord.

Sometimes the best prayers are not the promises but the simple appeals. God doesn't need anything you can offer, but He's waiting for you to just ask His help. Don't try to bribe Him with promises - just cry out and reach for His hand.

"I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid. John 14:27 (NLT)

"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." John 16:33 (NLT)

Selling Yourself in 45 Seconds Part 1

The average job seeker is not equipped to make a positive first impression. At the very earliest steps to a new job we slam the door closed because we are not prepared. If you've wondered why your networking meetings and job interviews never seem to go anywhere, I want you to consider - are you selling yourself? If you were a fantastic new can-opener how would you present yourself?

Infomercial is a good word that's popped into modern usage in the last 25 years or so. It means, "to give information in order to make a commercial transaction." We've all seen infomercials about the latest and greatest products. These kinds of selling messages work! If they didn't, the marketers would move on to a more effective way of getting the consumer to a buying decision. As a job seeker you need to have your own infomercial ready. If you can't sell yourself, why should an employer "buy" and hire you?

The unemployed constantly hear two sentences - one a statement, the other a question. Yet the average unemployed person is not ready to respond to either and, as a result, many miss the opportunity to make the positive first impression that is so crucial to moving through the process to a new job.

The first sentence is a statement. You've heard this from almost anyone you've met during the process of looking for work. Usually early in every job interview, you will hear, "Tell me about yourself." The second common thing we hear in interviews or networking appointments is the question, "What are you looking for?" If you are not prepared for these "sales" opportunities, your chance of getting that job is slim to none. Too many of us leave our responses to spur of the moment spontaneity and we stumble around, hemming and hawing, making a terrible first impression.

When I was a hiring official, one of the responses I heard a lot was, "I just need a job. I'll take anything." This comes across as too desperate and needy - even if that's true. No employer wants to be, "just a job." In their minds you'll move on as soon as something better comes along. Every employer is thinking, "Can this person help me with what I need for this business to succeed." Employers don't hire people for positions they don't really need.

Take the time to write out your responses to these two openings. Remember you don't have much time. The person asking the question isn't giving you permission for a 10 minute, rambling lecture about your background, experience and skills. Television has trained us to have short attention spans when it comes to our buying inquiries. You have 30 to 45 seconds to articulately present yourself. If you can do this well you'll stand out from almost all of the other candidates. [See Part 2 next week]

Sometimes You Get Manna

The circumstances of being unemployed reminds me of the people of Israel's wandering in the wilderness. That's why I titled my book Unemployed: Life in the Wilderness. The day to day struggles of being without work is just like that dry, lonely, desolate, and desperate situation. In a New York Times article of February 22, 2010 entitled "The New Poor," Peter S. Goodman said, "And now they find themselves in the desert of joblessness." I agree. It's obvious to anyone who's been through it. When you're out there in that wasteland of the newspaper classifieds and internet job sites it is just like being in the desert where Israel found themselves.

But, there were blessings there in the wilderness. The people of Israel didn't even recognize it at the time, but God was taking care of them. He provided for them every day. There were probably over two million of them, counting the women and children, yet God provided food and water every day. Sometimes He provided resources so they could buy food (Deuteronomy 2:5), but He didn't always provide money. In the wilderness God provided that strange and wonderful stuff called manna (Exodus 16:4).

Like Israel, when we are wandering in the desert of joblessness, God provides for us in unexpected ways. We can get help from our friends, families, former business associates, churches, and even from "official" sources of government. To get help we don't need to understand exactly what the help involves. When God provides, sometimes you get manna. When it came to the people of Israel they didn't even know what it was. Their reaction was "what is this" (Exodus 16:15)?

When we have a need, whether it's food or a job, God chooses to assist us according to His own plan. It isn't always by providing a job. Sometimes it's allowing other people to be blessed by helping us. Sometimes we can't even identify the specific source of the help. We just feel better after getting it. And, like Israel, we are told to be grateful for the provision without trying to analyze what it is, how it got there, or even how long it's going to fast. It's just good to get it.

Keep moving forward in the wilderness. Keep thanking God for His provision and sometimes you'll get manna.

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7 (New Living Translation)

Job Hunting Is Like Wrestling Angels

Experts tell us that the best way to succeed in a job search is to keep at it. When we're discouraged, disappointed, overwhelmed and on the verge of giving up, we must keep going.

I see a wonderful example of that in the Bible book of Genesis, chapter 32, verse 26. Jacob has spent the night wrestling with an angel. It's been tough. At one point the angel dislocates Jacob's hip. That's painful. It reminds me of some of the painful experiences of my job search. There were times when I've left an interview or networking meeting and I felt something was definitely dislocated. But, just like Jacob, we can't give up just because of a little pain. We must hold on and keep wrestling.

In our job hunting we must have the same attitude Jacob had in Genesis 32:26. His basic prayer was, "I won't stop until you bless me!" God responds well to perseverance. In fact, He commands us to persevere.

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial;

for once he has been approved, 

he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 

James 1:12 (New American Standard Updated)

And the great news is that He even provides the power to keep going. That's a great picture of God's grace during unemployment.

The Lord is my strength and my shield;

My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped;

Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him. 

Psalm 28:7 (NASB)

He wants us to hang on and be blessed and He helps us hang on and be blessed. We've just got to decide to do it.

Jacob hangs on and in Genesis 32:28,29 is given a blessing and a new name reflecting his determination. "Israel" means "he who strives with God." Now, did Jacob overpower the angel and force God to give a blessing? No! At any time God could have overcome Jacob's desire to hang on. But God likes determination and perseverance - especially when they are exercised in a desire for His blessing.

In your job hunt, hang on! Keep at it! Wrestle with the situation. God will bless you for it.

For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, 

so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement 

grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, 

so that with one accord you may

with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Romans 15:4-6 (NASB)

Getting Caught With Your Finger In The Fudge

When we're traveling through that dry and desolate valley of unemployment, it is so easy to begin to feel that you have nothing to offer prospective new employers. As the job search seemingly goes on and on we can start to believe that we are completely inadequate for any position. We're too old, not old enough, over qualified, or lacking the right experience. We begin to think the work world may have passed us by. We say to ourselves, "If I was a little more qualified I'd have gotten that last open position, or If I was just a little more experienced in this or that, or if I just had better grades, or a better degree, then a new job would be a sure thing."

One of the biggest temptations we face as job seekers is the desire to "fix" our resumes with a little fudging. Think of truth as a rock in your life. It's impossible to stretch a rock. Yet, Satan wants to tempt us to break that rock of truth and lie. Because no matter how it's justified or rationalized, putting something into our resume that is not true is lying. The devil is called a liar and the father of lies in John
8:44 (NASB95). It says, "You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies."
In Proverbs 6:16,17 a "lying tongue" is listed as one of the six things God really hates. Later, in Proverbs 12:19 (NLT) it says, "Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed." When writing our resumes and presenting our qualifications to prospective employers, we must take that verse to heart.

Talking in Luke 16:10, Jesus said, "If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities." (NLT) Even if we never get caught in the lie, God knows and keeps track. Lying is a way of saying that we don't trust God with the truth. He can't help us get a job unless we take it upon ourselves to "fudge," "misrepresent," or "stretch the facts." To do that and then ask God to bless us in our interviews or in the new job we've gotten through falsehood is just plain crazy! He won't do it. It is against His character. If you look in some theology book under the character of God, you'll find the word "veracity". It means God is totally true and truthful and that He cannot abide the sin of lying.

If there is some knowledge missing in your working experience, be honest. But you can also show that you are willing and able to learn, and that you are motivated to improve yourself. Check with your state employment offices and see if there is money available for training programs. Many states have programs for paying for workers who need to enhance areas of their understanding in order to qualify for available jobs. The government might even have financial incentives for employers to hire less experienced people and take on-the-job training. That information could then be taken into your interview and given as a benefit to the company for hiring you.

God is a rewarder of truth. He keeps the books and will bless your truthfulness. Ask for His help in keeping your resumes accurate and truthful. The fancy word for that is "integrity".

Webster's New World Dictionary defines integrity as: "1. A being complete; wholeness. 2. Unimpaired condition; soundness. 3. Uprightness, honesty, and sincerity". Keep this trait of integrity in your job search efforts and God will bless those efforts.

Guard my soul and deliver me; Do not let me be ashamed,

for I take refuge in You.

Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, 

For I wait for You. Psalm 25:20-21 (NASB95)

He who walks in integrity walks securely, 

But he who perverts his ways will be found out. 

Proverbs 10:9 (NASB95)

Employers Want Holes, Not Employees

No business person I know wakes up one morning and says, "We need more employees." Yet, even in this bad economy, businesses are hiring people. Why? A common question we ask in the job search is, "What is this company looking for?"

Many years ago I was at a sales conference where I was asked a simple question. "Why does a person buy a drill?" In discussing the answer, we came to the conclusion that people don't buy drills because they want a drill. They buy drills because they want holes. The drill they choose represents the solution to two needs - the size of the hole and the material through which the aforementioned hole must be drilled.

Employers are the same. A business discovers a need. It needs to accomplish some task to be more profitable. That's why it decides to hire a new employee. Businesses never want to just add people. They want to add solutions to needs they have in the marketplace.

All through your interview, and even in your cover letters, keep in mind the question, "What is the need this company is trying to fill and how do I offer them the opportunity to best fill it? What are the obstacles they're trying to bore through?" Your experience highlights and emphasized qualifications should be tailored to what the business needs. Show them you can help them with that need and you'll stand out from people who are just looking for jobs.

Explain how you are the drill that has the features to get them the holes they need, through whatever is in their way, and you'll quickly find yourself in the company tool box.