No situation in life is without its opportunities. Not all circumstances are good but they can be used for good in the hands of our loving creator. So what good can come out of unemployment? You may well be able to add your own ideas but here are a few of mine:
Unemployment helps us understand Christ’s suffering better
All suffering gives us a glimpse into what Jesus endured. He was tempted in every way, he knew rejection, poverty, sacrifice, lack of physical security. And while our sacrifice can never come close to the ultimate sacrifice he made, it can give us a glimpse - it can help us understand just a little bit more of what our Saviour endured, and endured so sinlessly and silently, for us.
Unemployment helps us see ourselves as we are
No matter how many sermons we hear about God’s unconditional love and adoption into his family, made possible by Jesus’ death and resurrection, we all too often frame our self-image in terms of what we do rather than who we are. I’m an accountant, a teacher, an administrative assistant, a youth worker, a stock-broker, a cleaner … No! If you are a Christian, then your identity is that of a precious child of God. That’s who we are. We are in the image of God (Genesis 1:26); a child of God (1John 3:1), in Christ and headed for eternal bliss (Colossians 3:3). That’s what needs to define us not some job title. Being job- less can throw us back on those amazing truths.
Unemployment encourages us to trust God for our needs
Matthew 6:25-34 is a challenging read. It’s a call to trust God for all things. It’s an encouragement to worry about nothing. Why? Because God knows what we need. Our remit is simply to seek him. When life is going well it’s very hard to do that. Even when we’re trusting God with much of our life, at least a tiny part of our mind tends to think “and there’s plenty of money in the bank” or “at least I have a secure income”. When our security blankets are stripped away, that is when we can learn most about trusting he who knows all we require.
Unemployment gives us the opportunity to review our priorities
Having no job is a unique opportunity to ask the question. “am I using my time and talents in the best way I can?”. It provides a chance to at least ponder the possibility of doing something different. A change of career, a different working pattern (maybe one that actually includes regular rest!), even a move into full time ministry (though that’s certainly not always better than seeking work in a secular environment). Prayerfully seeking God’s wisdom, without necessarily expecting him to send down an itemized list of directions, is a wise way to go.
Unemployment gives us the privilege of serving others
Job-hunting is a full-time role so being without paid work doesn’t necessarily mean lots of extra free time. But it can mean more flexibility. And that can provide the opportunity to taking on an extra, time-limited role within the church. Maybe offering to do a series of 6 one-to-one Bible reading sessions with a new Christian or a non-Christian neighbour?
Unemployment gives us the privilege of allowing others to serve us
I don’t know about you but I’m independent at heart. I love to help others but I’m not so good at asking for help myself. I would much rather give someone money or buy someone a meal than be treated. But to be in a church is to serve and be served. The latter is no less our role than the former. And it is a great thing – both for our humility and for the spiritual growth of others – to allow them to support us as we struggle: practically, emotionally and spiritually.
Helen Thorne is Director of Training and Resources at Biblical Counselling UK. She formerly worked with the London City Mission and has written Hope in an Anxious World, Purity Is Possible, Walking with Domestic Abuse Sufferers and 5 Things to Pray for Your City. She attends Dundonald Church in Raynes Park, London.
