Navigating Griefনমুনা

The Grief of Losing a Job

Today, we are discussing the grief we experience when losing a job.

When it happened to me, I was utterly shocked. Without warning, I was called into an uncomfortable meeting and didn’t even have the chance to gather my things afterward—a coworker had to do it for me.

Looking back, I now see it as one of the best things ever happened to me. I found a better job and eventually met my wife at my new workplace. This unexpected turn of events brought blessings I could never have imagined.

Nevertheless, I don't want to underestimate the pain of losing a job. Especially for men, we see ourselves as the providers for our families and can feel like failures when we lose a job.

Joseph lost his job as the manager of Potiphar’s household (Genesis 39:1-23). He was falsely accused and sent to prison. However, God was with Joseph and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. Joseph was put in charge of the prisoners and all related matters. While in prison, Joseph interpreted the dreams of the cupbearer and the baker (Genesis 40). Two years later, the cupbearer remembered Joseph when Pharaoh had a dream that needed interpretation. Joseph successfully interpreted Pharaoh’s dream and was promoted to a high ranking government position, answering only to Pharaoh (Genesis 41).

Brothers, there are some lessons we can take away from this story. First, even though it may feel like your world is falling apart when you lose a job, that's not the case. God sees us down the road and knows what's best for us.

Second, God is not bound by human time. 2 Peter 3:8 states, “Dear friends, don’t overlook this one fact: With the Lord, one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.” Joseph was imprisoned for years, and the cupbearer forgot about him. Yet, it all worked out at the right time and place. This is a powerful reminder that God’s timing and plan are perfect, even when we can’t see it.

Last, don’t lose trust in God. He knows what is best for you and acts at the optimum time. We might not see it, but God is making things happen behind the scenes. Don’t lose faith, brothers. Trust in God’s plan, even when it’s difficult to understand. He is always working for our good. Knowing this can help us give our grief to Him.

Prayer: Father, help us see the big picture, trust You completely, and not lose hope. Heal the pain of losing our job, and help us move forward. Amen.

Reflection: Pray for a brother who recently lost his job and reach out to strengthen and encourage him.