Encourage Me

In this reflection we reflect on the pain of being made redundant, and how it affects our wellbeing and sense of self. Through prayer we can honestly tell God how we feel, sift through our thoughts and rediscover our worth.

Redundancy hurts, it hurts so much it can feel like a physical blow. It can feel like part of you has been ripped away without your consent and you have absolutely no control over what is happening. Shock, disappointment, disbelief, worry, anger — all these emotions are likely to surface and many more.

Those who have never been made redundant really have little idea that the impact is not just on income, though that can bring a whole separate set of problems and emotions. It is sometimes about how you think and feel about yourself and how you think that others perceive you now that you are unemployed. Those who have never been made redundant can be extremely annoying offering unwanted advice, well meant but irritating platitudes and telling you how easy it will be for someone with all your skills and talents to find something else when you know that the truth is, it might not be.

As a society we tend to introduce ourself with a job title. “What do you do?” is rarely answered with a list of daily tasks, it is answered with our profession. Take that away and even a simple question can be difficult to answer if we have always thought of ourself as “insert job title”.

Even the word ‘redundant’ is harsh and hurtful. The dictionary definition is: not or no longer needed or useful; superfluous. It may feel like we are superfluous, particularly if new opportunities are not quick in presenting themselves. So far so depressing.

A quick online search will bring up lots of practical advice on managing finances, job searching, networking, keeping busy and retraining. The practical elements of moving forward are well supported.

There is a lot less immediately available it terms of emotional support but in darkness there is always light.

Prayer can provide a safe space to talk without being interrupted with unwanted advice, without judgment.

Prayer can provide time to quietly reflect on what is important in life, which path to go down next.

God won’t take offence or hold a grudge if you need to have an angry rant about how unfair the world is.

God will listen, He won’t cut the conversation short because He has an appointment or has heard the same woe several times before.

Take it to the Lord in prayer. No one is pretending that prayer will resolve all the issues but it might help provide a measure of peace in a difficult time.

Let us pray:

Lord right now I feel worthless

I’m scared about the future

I’m bitter that this has happened to me

Why did it have to be me Lord?

Lord help me to see my worth as you do

Calm my fears

Heal my troubled soul

I need to find hope Lord

Lord I need a new path

Set my steps in the right direction

Show me your plan for me

I need your guidance Lord

#job #work #career #frustration #loss #selfhood

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