“God Provided During Unemployment”
In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
Jamie writes:
I had different plans, but God directed my steps.
In 2005 things were going pretty good for me and my family. My wife was pregnant with our third child and due to deliver in the next two months. My wife was still able to work so we were tucking away every dime we could because my wife was going to stop working when our child was born.
One day it became very heavy on my heart to do something. After praying to God about this feeling I realized He was telling me to do this. I was told to buy (3) of everything that wouldn’t spoil. This meant deodorant, tooth brushes, zip lock bags, trash bags, diapers, wet wipes, cleaning supplies, paper towels, toilet paper, etc.
Over the next month we stocked up on everything. We bought everything in threes. God blessed us with a home a few years prior to this and we had plenty of storage area.
Our baby was born in February. Approximately one month later I was fired (for absolutely no fault of mine) by my employer. The entire situation was a test from God. As soon as I walked outside of that building I felt the weight lifted from my shoulders. I knew we had no source of income and still felt relieved.
Yes, I did freak out for a while. God calmed me down and helped me realize that He put us into a position that we could make it financially without having to sell our home. We simply needed to have faith in God and trust Him 100%.
Reading Joel Osteen’s book helped us to stay positive. I filed for unemployment and was told I would receive the maximum because the reason the company that fired me gave was not a legitimate reason to fire someone. After about a month I realized I would not be getting unemployment so I began working for a different company part time.
We were literally down to less than $20 in our checking account and credit card maxed. Then the company I had been working part time for did the unthinkable: they offered me a full time job!
I made enough money over the next couple of months to get ALL of our bills paid and to get into a pretty good financial position for when I took my new full time position as a draftsman.
God knew everything that was about to take place and took care of me and my family! Thank you God!!!!!
Please note that the views expressed in this story are not necessarily the views of the American Bible Society. Story posted on June 21st, 2007 and filed under Your Stories, Christian Families, God's Sovereignty.
June 25th, 2007 at 8:25 am
This is an excellent story. It is very encouraging to know that God watches over His children.
June 29th, 2007 at 3:51 am
I am a pastor working in rural villages of vijayawada city in India.This story is very simple one.But the faith aspect of the couple is a great lesson for me when I lack faith in Gods provident car and love.All my congrigation realised this fact when I shared this story with them.May God bless you all.Thank you.
Yours in lord jesus our saviour.
Joseph
July 2nd, 2007 at 10:32 am
Hi, God is wonderful and he acts in ways that we can never imagine. Right now I am going through a similar experience. A month ago I was fired from my job because the company went bankrupt. So far I’ve not been able to find a good job but I’ve learned to wait on the Lord’s response. When God directed me to read this story I realize that he is teaching me a lesson of faith and patience. Praise the Lord Jesus.
July 3rd, 2007 at 9:27 am
Hello, my name is Joan and I just wanted to comment on the first story “God Provided During Unemployment.” My husband is experiencing the exact same thing, including the way he was fired and I always tell him that God will provide and that God has the perfect job for you that he wants you to have. When I read this story, I sent it to my husband immediately!! It was very encouraging. Thank you so much!!! God Bless!!!
July 3rd, 2007 at 4:51 pm
Dear All,
In everyday in my life sometimes it is really gets me tired. It came to the point quitting in this world but when I realized that why I have to quit since we are enjoying the privilage of living here in this world seeing the beauty of God’s creation. God’s word is really powerful and I believe in His Name there is really a power..”JESUS” I believe, I have faith in him..When things turns to nothing, God will do something which is from human it’s nothing but from GOD it is always possible to turn it into clear and precise answer which is beyond human knowledge. Glory be to God we created from shame to glory and from glory to glory..Do not quit because God never quit on you just always stay with him and no once could snatch from his hands.
July 5th, 2007 at 11:47 pm
faith and patience pays off!! thank you God!!
September 26th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
[…] God provided for us while I was unemployed, by Jamie. […]
October 5th, 2007 at 10:19 am
This is the second time in the past month that I read this testimony. The message of faith and patients keeps sticking with me. I went through a hostile work environment and decided to quit after making several attempts to see it through. Now i resigned with no plan ahead (not the best thing to do, but i prayed on it and knew no matter if i saw the path ahead or not the Lord would bring me through). Unemployment found that the company i worked for was withholding pay for unlawful reasons and awarded me the maximum. And the unemployment award was just the beginning. The lord led me to people who I volunteered with rebuilding and cleaning homes which was a great change from the corporate environment. It was a huge blessing for me to help others! And when my family relocated he made it possible for me to follow. I have been unemployed but actively searching for jobs for over 9 months now and i, too, get down on myself. Then the Lord led me to read this book “Quiet Strength” from Tony Dungy. And i soon realized that my response to test/trials in life is more important than the trials their self. I know one day my test will be a testimony. It will build my character. I’ve had mysterious checks come in the mail that have held me over. I went from workaholic to not working at all. I now realize that i was actually feeling bad about my self-worth because i was not working. But my self worth should not waver based on employment status. I’m still in the storm. But i wake up every morning and spend time praising God, not complaining to God. Even though I am without employment i press on. Faith without works is dead. My time is coming and I’m ready for it. Please stay encouraged!!!!
February 9th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
God didn’t provide a thing when I lost my business, my house and my cars.
My wife had to take $10/hour jobs and move into a cramped Apartment. Sell most of our belongings in Garage sales and to Pawn Shops. Couldn’t get a bank account and had to learn to live on Cash. We had to buy a $400 car.
Everything we have now we earned the hard way.
God didn’t provide any of this , we did.
5 years later we still have no health insurance and no savings to speak of. I was an avid Church member before all this happened. After my Church cast out all the Gay members, I left as well.
No person on this planet has any idea who God is or how God thinks or acts. NO ONE. God has never spoken to anyone on this planet and has never spoken to you or me.
Don’t kid yourself.
And especially don’t be fooled into giving 10% of your harded earned money to a church.
February 9th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Darrell,
I’m so sorry that you are going through all this strife and hard times. My family knows all too well what it is to go through tough financial needs and heart break.
My parents have always been on fixed incomes. They are honest, hard working people and to this day collectively they earn $15,000 a year. How they make it? I have no idea. My dad drives a truck that they gave him for free cause it was so beat up. My mom still cleans houses to bring income to the house at the age of 57. It’s not easy, but they love God with all their heart and God has been good. They have their health and kids (my brother and I) who have helped them as much as we can. We will never understand the mind of God.
One artist put it perfectly… God is like air… you cant see it, but you can see the effects of it. Its not something you can grab physically, but it will be there, even when we dont know it.
I will be praying for you and your family.
May 26th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
great stories, I’m unemployed, I had a great 12 year Job, that i used to say I’m so lucky I have this God, Lost my Job, then found another in 1 week, then got layoff in 3 month’s, found 2 more hard Jobs, then quit, I got money from government.
Here after 8 month’s, still no work, employment insurance is about to finish, I still don’t have real furniture But I stick my mind to God, If he promised me eternal life, by sacrificing Jesus for me, how hard would it be for him if I ask of him to just feed me?
I serve the Church as musician, and drive 40 minutes highway, I know God is faithful.