How to find...

When God put the desire to be a social worker in my 13-year-old heart, I never imagined how difficult it’d be to obtain and maintain employment in the field. I have had eight jobs (6 of which were in the social work field) and four unemployment periods since I graduated with my Master’s Degree in 2006. I have a physical disability, and there are several job requirements I no longer know how to meet because reasonable accommodation doesn’t seem to be an option. As a result of my employment struggles, I have become a doubter who is stuck, questioning my purpose and wondering how God will use me to help other differently abled individuals. I believe He will, but I am tired. I have been known to read Galatians 6:9 (a verse that once encouraged me to keep going) and burst into tears. I felt that social work was how He’d use me to help others. It aligned well with my spiritual gifts, so I pursued it. I never thought I had chosen wrong. 
      When I am in a difficult season, my first reaction is to complain and have a pity party. I stop remembering God’s promises. I know He knit me in my mother’s womb (Psalms 139:13-14). I know He’ll make my lameness work together for my good and His glory (Romans 8:28)!  But Satan and my flesh don’t want me to remember. Lately, I have been too focused on my limitations and stopped seeing the woman God created. I stopped finding joy. If you’re struggling to find joy in your circumstances as much as I am, I hope these three concepts bless you as much as they have me.

1. Remember that whatever you are going through is only temporary. I know you may think 16 years doesn’t seem short-term, but remember that with the Lord, a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day (2 Peter 3:8). Remember that God is in control. His timing is perfect (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Keep praying for the desires of your heart (Psalms 20:4-5) and pray that God will provide opportunities to use you and your trials while you wait (Galatians 6:10).
2. Along my journey to become a social worker, I’ve experienced God-winks. The first was in 2013, three years after being laid off from my first job. I had called an agency to try and get help finding a job but never heard back. A few weeks later, I received a phone call from that same agency, but it wasn’t from the employee I called for help. The manager had seen my old (inactive) resume on a job site and wanted to know if I was still looking for work. This call was an answer to prayer, the circumstances of which were not easy to explain away. When I went for the interview, I found out that I was interviewing (and later hired) to do the job of the person I had called for help. GOD did this! 

• The second God-wink came in October 2016 after being laid off from my second job. My church had started the sermon series Joseph: Seeing the Good in God’s Detours. Joseph trusted and obeyed God. No matter the circumstance, he didn’t complain and didn’t compromise his faith because he knew God was in control. Even in prison, Joseph was safe, God knew where he was, God was listening, and God put Joseph exactly where he needed to be. Nothing happened to him that God disapproved of. Whatever you are going through, remember this. But also remember that God cares for you. He will comfort and save you. Joseph didn’t get mired in self-pity. Instead, he used his circumstances and talents to help others in prison. Hearing this reminded me that when we focus our thoughts on the author and perfecter of our faith instead of our mess, we can have joy (Hebrews 12:2).  During this series, I felt the call to share my story. GOD did this, and this brings me to my second point-

 2. Be bold and courageous (1 Chronicles 28:20 and Joshua 1:9)!

• If I hadn’t heard that sermon, I wouldn’t have stepped out in faith and out of my comfort zone to write and self-publish a book and try motivational speaking. I wouldn't have been sharing my life and faith at a speaking engagement, and I wouldn’t have met the person who interviewed and hired me to be a social worker for a therapeutic day school within a few weeks (after two years of unemployment). If that wasn’t a divine detour, I don’t know what is! 

• Being bold and courageous also means sharing what I am going through with others, especially other Christians. They can help keep me accountable in turning to God when things get tough, they can encourage me, and they can pray for me.  Would you pray that God would provide opportunities to use my life for His will and glory? Would you pray that I find joy and contentment and hold me accountable?

   3.  Be  content and Joyful

• Joy, patience, and peace are gifts from God (Galatians 5:22-23). To receive them, I need to continually renounce Satan and my flesh to seek His face and put Him first (2 Chronicles 7:14 and Proverbs 3:6). I need to trust God and His sovereignty over my circumstances.
• When I am in a difficult season, I need to have peace, hope, and faith (Romans 15:10-13 and Matthew 17:20). I need to focus on my purpose: To love Jesus and others and put their interests above my own. So How can I pray for you?

Lord, forgive me for putting too much emphasis on my identity as a social worker.  As your child, I am rich (not monetarily) and blessed. I have much to be thankful for and much to give. Thank you for reminding me what it means to have J.O.Y.  Please use my life and gifts to bring You glory.

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