A few weeks ago, I posted some thoughts that one of our elders here at Capitol Hill Baptist had shared with the congregation about trusting God through unemployment, and using that kind of time well.  At long last (a situation I blame entirely on my new daughter), here's the second half of that elder's talk.  You can find Part One here.

#6: Encourage the unemployed

We are called to shoulder one another’s burdens. Around town I hear that job-searcher fatigue is taking hold.  That is, people are getting tired of helping job searchers.  As a church, we must not grow weary in doing good, but continue providing for those who are unemployed. 

#7: Beware of Idol Worship

We know from Genesis 2 that work is ordained by the LORD and is good.  But our hearts are idol-factories, and in the middle of a prolonged search a job can easily become more important than God and drain your joy. And we lose perspective and think that all we need is a job and then life will be happy and fulfilling.  So we must fight this tendency by recognizing it, confessing it, and exercising the discipline of thanksgiving in all situations.

#8: Cry out to the LORD

It is a good thing to cry and pour out your heart to God.  Trials remind us that any sense that we have it all together is a complete illusion.  God and God alone is in control. As the Psalmist says: “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”

#9: Invest the Extra time well

Being without a job is not without its benefits.  You have extra time on your hands.  And, you will soon miss this when you get a new job. 

·         Serve others

·         Walk through this trial with other unemployed members of the church. 

·         Spend more time reading and with the LORD.  One warning: you still need to plan your quiet times or the day will slip by without one. 

#10: Take Advantage of Unique Opportunities for Evangelism

Many friends and former colleagues have invested their entire lives in work.  And now many of them are unemployed and are panicking...  All of my former colleagues, whether employed or unemployed, expect that I should be panicking too.  That is the natural reaction of an unbelieving world.

What's more, I've found that people who normally would never ask you how you are doing will do so now--and now they expect more than a cursory answer.  This is a great and natural opportunity to share how you are trusting in the Lord.  Share how the Lord has provided for you this week or how the church members are caring for you, or what Scripture you are feeding on that day. 

In my experience, it floors people when they realize that you are trusting in something other than yourself.  And right there is the opening to share the hope of the Gospel!