**Guest post by Author Karen Brown Tyson.**
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV.
Life is full of trials. One minute everything is going smoothly and according to plan. The next minute we are faced with a difficult situation. On November 1, 2017, I learned my job as a Global Communications Manager was being eliminated. At 51, after 16 years of devoted service, my company laid me off. Just like that, I was out. Sixty days before Christmas and four years before I would be eligible to retire, I was out of a job.
Dealing with loss, pain, or betrayal is tough. Even saying goodbye to a loved one being deployed is hard. When faced with a difficult situation, our natural reaction is fear, anger, doubt, or sadness. Despite how we feel, God expects us to walk by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7).
In the past, I wasted a lot of time worrying, complaining, lamenting and questioning what was happening. I am so tired of traveling down the wrong path only to wind up begging God to step in to save me from myself. No more.
Below are five steps I took to deal with my layoff. Take a look at the list and offer any additional tips on how you hold on to faith during difficult times.
Be honest about how you feel. When faced with difficult times, tell God exactly how you feel. If you are mad, frustrated, or worried, let God know your heart. If you are having a hard time, ask God to show you how to deal with what’s going on in your life.
Ask God for help. According to research compiled by Barna Group, of the American adults who regularly pray, only 49% ask for guidance during a personal crisis. Don’t be afraid to ask God for help. He does not expect you to figure everything out on your own.
Be prepared to fight for your faith. Ephesians 6:10-20 represents a call to battle in a spiritual war. The imagery of battle comes to life in verses 14-17 as we see a warrior outfitted with God’s armor, clad with truth, justice, salvation, and faith. During the hardest times of your life, the enemy will attack your faith. Put on your armor to defend your faith in God.
Grow your faith. It’s one thing to say you have faith, and quite another thing to act like it. If you feel overwhelmed about the difficulty you face, go to God’s Word for guidance. As you continue to learn about faith, put God’s Word into action.
Find a mentor. Ask a mature Christian friend to mentor you during tough times. Learn from his or her walk with Christ.
After hearing the shocking news about my job, I went to God in prayer and said, “No matter what people say, think or do, I will walk in faith because I trust you.” In that moment, He assured me he would not leave me or forsake me. After His peace washed over me, I knew I had made the right decision.
© Strength 4 Spouses LLC, 2018.
Karen Brown Tyson has worked for Fortune 500 companies in the fast food, pharmaceutical, and telecommunication industries for the last 25 years. Today, Karen is the founder of Constant Communicators, a lifestyle business that helps people improve their business writing skills. She is the author of, Time to Refresh: A 21-Day Devotional to Renew Your Mind After Being Laid Off, Fired or Sidelined. Karen works online, in person, and by phone as a communication and writing coach. She helps her entrepreneurial clientele focus on business and nonfiction writing. Karen lives in North Carolina with her husband and son.
Connect Karen at:
Personal Website: www.karenbrowntyson.com
Blog: https://karenbrowntyson.com/blog-2-feed/
