UNEMPLOYMENT

Many people struggle with feeling useless and hopeless after a job loss—especially an extended one. But, as Mr. Graham says, “God has not forgotten you. He knows all about you, and He cares about you and wants to help you.”

I urge you to turn to Him and commit this problem—and your whole life—into Christ's hands. Right now you may be wondering if God loves you—but He does, and the proof is that He was willing to send His only Son into the world to die for you.

One of the Bible's greatest promises is found in Psalm 34:18: "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Pause right now and thank Him for this truth, and for His love for you.

Then ask God to show you the next step He wants you to take. Perhaps He wants you to renew your search for a job; perhaps He wants you to enroll in a job retraining program. Or perhaps He wants you to use the time you have right now to help others—volunteering in a local food bank, for example, or working in a community program through your church.

In addition, let this be a time when you grow closer to your family—and to God. In other words, see this time not only as a problem, but also as an opportunity—an opportunity to grow in your relationships with others and with God. If you do, once this time of unemployment is over you'll be able to look back and thank God for being with you, even in the midst of life's hard times.

Jesus does know what you are going through. He knew what it was to be poor, and even homeless. On one occasion, He said, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head" (Luke 9:58).

He understands your fears and your heartaches, because He experienced them in His own life. And that's why you can turn to Him for the strength you need to face the future with hope.

DR. BILLY GRAHAM