When the job was taken from me, I discovered unforeseen opportunity

By Dean Collins

I really did not seek the job, but when it was taken from me, I had moments of doubt. I doubted my boss and wondered why God would reorganize my life just then. I hadn’t done anything wrong, yet suddenly I was being asked to move over or, in my mind, move down. I still had a job and a the same salary, but it didn’t seem right. And it ended up that it was not a good decision for the company. And once I got over my wounded pride, I realized it was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. I just did not realize it in the moment.

God is good?

On most days we would naturally affirm the psalmist’s thoughts in Psalm 73. God is good to his people. While the psalmist spoke of his context and affirmed God’s goodness to Israel, we do no harm in our interpretation that God is good to all who follow him and are pure in heart.

On our good days, when we look around and notice the many gifts and blessings we have from above, we have no doubts of God’s goodness and favor. But every now and then something happens and someone else—someone not as nice as you are, someone you know to have weaknesses or skeletons in their closet—appears to get the blessing and you get pushed aside. When this happens, it might stir many thoughts and emotions. Why her and not me? Has my boss lost his mind? Why would God allow something like this to happen?

The psalmist described himself as nearly stumbling, with his feet slipping and nearly falling. His envy had gotten the best of him as he watched someone he knew to be wicked find favor that appeared to be better than what God was providing him. Envy can quickly get the best of us. Envy can lead to comparison and, unchecked, it expands to arrogance. But then comparison can lead to seeing yourself as inferior. And all of this together can make one wonder why God allows someone else, someone who doesn't even follow him, get the bigger salary, the nicer house, the status, the promotion, or the recognition.

Speak the truth?

In moments like this, it is easy to turn to our friends or family and get their agreement about how we have been wronged. It is wonderful to have that kind of support. But sometimes those close to us avoid speaking truth we need to hear. They may sympathize with us and simultaneously allow our sin to grow. They may not see the envy or pride that has crept into our thinking. And once established, pride and envy can change behavior if you do not deal with it.

The psalmist did what we must all do when we discover sin in our hearts. We must go to the sanctuary of God and let him correct the errors of thoughts. Honesty before God quickly translates to humility and brings repentance. Alone with God, wounds are healed, forgiveness cleanses our attitude, hope is restored, and new possibilities emerge.

God’s favor!

In my situation I was right. My boss did hire the wrong person. My instincts that I should leave and not work for him were on target. What I did not understand at the moment was how God had orchestrated a new path for me. One that led to ways I could serve him and even the business in bigger ways. That change set me free to learn, grow, and serve in ways and in areas I could never have imagined.

My new path had risk and uncertainty, but what I discovered was a deeper understanding of God’s provision and favor. Letting go of my rightness would translate to freedom. It would also allow me to discover the firm hand of God who always leads and always provides. And it helped me see that nothing on earth really satisfies the way God can and does. His ways are good and are for us and never against us.

The psalmist said it this way: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

No matter what you think may be happening around you, don’t rush to conclusions based on your thoughts and emotions. Instead rush into the sanctuary of God. He will meet you there with understanding, love, and grace. There we will find strength, forgiveness, and hope for the days ahead.

Your time with God’s Word
Psalm‬ ‭73:1-5, 12, 16-28‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Photos by Callie Gibson at Unsplash

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