June 2009 - Job Dependent or God Dependent?

06/01/2009

I’m beginning to realize how much my sense of self-worth was tied up in my job. Sure, I’m looking for work, just like the thousands of other laid-off people in my city.

Dear Judy,

For 45 years, I’ve had a job at one thing or another. Most of that time I worked in my field and enjoyed my work. Unfortunately, the end of January I was laid off. I’m beginning to realize how much my sense of self-worth was tied up in my job. Sure, I’m looking for work, just like the thousands of other laid-off people in my city. I could search into volunteering at a local charity, but I don’t feel like it. Actually I’m feeling like doing less and less and going fewer and fewer places. Life’s kinda become a "so what" to me. How can I  strum up meaning in my dull days?

Dear Unemployed,
I am sorry for your job loss. It doesn’t help to know that many people in this country and around the world are dealing with this same issue. You are fortunate to have worked in a field that you liked. Many people work most of their lives in a job they do not enjoy.

I believe the KEY to finding meaning in your dull days is found in your own words--self-worth! What exactly does self-worth mean to you? Webster’s defines this compound word as "an essential person distinct from others with a high level of merit or superiority in life." 

The only way we become this essential person distinct from others with merit is to look to the One who created us! If we look to our job for self worth, we are putting our distinction as a person of merit in the hands of another human being, which allows people and circumstances to dictate who we are. True, we work at our job and do our best, but the job cannot define our worth!

You did not say if you are a Christian but just look at the beauty of the creation around to see there is a God! God created all things and He created you! He loves you and it is through His love that you and I can have self-worth.

Right now, give yourself time to adjust to the changes going on in your life. For many years, you’ve been getting up and going to work each day, but now you feel there is nothing to get up for! Look around and you will find people who are less fortunate than yourself. Until you find another job, I think vounteering for a charitable organization is a good idea because it will get your eyes off self and onto someone in greater need than yourself. This always helps.

Whenever I’ve been without work, I always looked to my Creator who loves me and will guide me. I find encouragement in God’s Word, the Bible. For one, Jesus tells us in Matthew 19:26, ". . . with God all things are possible," and "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).

Find your self-worth in the God who created you! When you do that, you’ll know the One who created you will also keep you. A popular Scripture is John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Jesus came to this earth to die on the cross for your sin and mine so that we can have life forever with Him, starting in the here and now. Know that He will help you with your next steps, whether it’s to get another job or to start your own business, or whatever.  

When you become God-dependent, your self-worth comes through knowing the One who created you. Make this decision and watch your depression flee far from you as you experience the caring power of your God!

Do you have a concern or a question for Judy? Send it to baus1@juno.com