Have you ever been in those shoes? We have, unfortunately. Mergers, downsizing and layoffs at all levels all affect more people than we realize. It doesn't just affect the employee, but a whole scope of individuals can also feel the brunt of the loss.
For example, what about the men whose wives can't work full time to help pay the bills? That's the boat I'm in! I have a medical condition that only allows me to work a few days a week and not all day at that!
What about the families who are taking care of aging parents? Or the man who has a sick child at home that depends on his insurance? We've been there too...
After Hurricane Katrina hit, many jobs no longer existed! What did these people do?
Job loss and job insecurity can create incredible anxiety for America's families. We've been the route of mergers. We've felt the brunt of layoffs and downsizing. We've felt the fear of losing insurance. It's not fun.
How did we survive? We were fortunate enough to have family that took us in for a while. We had to rent our home in Indiana where we came back from, as well as our home in the town we moved back to! It took two years to sell the one in Indiana. We eventually moved back into the other one.
Our Mammas kept us fed....
Yes, we had to put a lot on our credit cards at one time in order to keep from losing all we owned. I don't know which is worse to be truthful. The debt you incrue, or losing your stuff. Stuff is stuff....you know?
Our marriage is very strong. Thank goodness it is! If there were any weak spots in it, we surely would have broken by now. How have we stayed so strong in the middle of pure chaos?
Our relationship with Christ. Our faith in His ability to see us through. Our trust that He knew our needs, every one. He did. And we did get through. We didn't starve. We didn't sleep in the street. We don't have the biggest and the best of anything right now, but that's not what matters most. It's family that matters.
Our children saw strength to endure hardship. Now they are strong! They saw faith and belief that we would be provided for by a loving God. We were. And now they have that belief.
Where are you in all of this? Are you there? Are you out of work, or fearful that you will lose your job? Is your company talking about downsizing?
My husband is going through that as we speak! Don't think we aren't "gunshy" when we hear that kind of talk. It happens. We aren't in the financial position we were last time...this time would be catastrophic. But...am I certain that God knows my needs? You bet. His Word tells us He does!
"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." NIV
"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid;
do not be discouraged." NIV
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." NIV
There you have it! God's Word. Proof. Solid and secure. He cares for you, He will never leave you alone to deal with anything by yourself, and He will provide!
I firmly believe in the following pasage:
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort
those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."
the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort
those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."
Hang in there. You're not alone...
Lucy
