A blessing or a curse?

  • Thread starter Thread starter mike_sieber
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
M

mike_sieber

Guest
I’m often trying to discern what God’s plan is for me and my life, and since he’s obviously not going to put up a billboard on the interstate for me, I’m just going to have to figure it out myself.

Here’s my situation: I work at a job that I’ve hated for a long time and admit that, at times, I’ve been pretty grumpy.

My goal has been to be a copy writer and I started a freelance commercial writing business last year and have found some success. I want to develop it into a full-time job so I can work from home.

However, I’ve really been slacking off pursuing new clients lately.

Yesterday, my boss basically said that if my attitude doesn’t change, I’m gone. Fair enough.

I admit that I was pretty depressed last night. Didn’t know what I was going to do if I lost my job. Then I started wondering if God wasn’t trying to give me a kick in the pants to quit slacking and start working harder with my freelance career so I could leave this place and work from home full time.

Then again, maybe he’s trying to punish me for something.

Any thoughts?
 
I don’t think God is trying to punish you. You may need a wakeup call. Pray that God will lead you in the direction he wants you to go. Although he won’t put up a billboard, he will let you know his will. Spend time quietly with God listening for his direction. And remember that whatever we do, we do it for God not for our earthly bosses.
 
I like you ask God everyday to let me know what His will is for me and my life, and I’m still waiting for an answer. The way I look at it is, if I really stray off the track that he wants me on, he’ll let me know. I also keep expecting to hear him tell me things or answers to questions I ask, and I wonder why doesn’t he answer. Then I realized that He was answering me, not directly, but through others, through me feelings, etc. Remember, God is not in the Hurricanes, the Fires, the Thunderstorms, He is in the breeze that ever so quietly brushes by us. Don’t look for Him, He’ll find you, just be aware that it might be in a round-about way. I too had a job that I hated and it was really doing a number on me, but it paid my bills. I am a pianist/musician, but it is very difficult to make a living on music so I had to take this job to support myself. Finally I became so miserable and depressed I knew I had to do something. I quit my job and started working on my music and within a week, my mood improved and depression went away, and I was once again the person I wanted to be. I know this is easier said than done, but trust in the Lord and he will provide. He just expects you to work at it too. Stop slacking, and get busy on your own business. There are few things better than being your own boss and working from home, that is a goal you should really stive for, for it gives you freedom that most people will never have or know. God does help those who help themselves. I’m back to being a musician. I may never be rich, but I’m paying my bills and I know God is looking out for me, because I’m trying to make the most of the gifts He gave me. I’ll pray for your success.
 
I too went through something similar. I had a small business that I loved and operated while working a full time job (which I also loved but was very unstable). I ended up losing the FT job (through no fault of my own) and spent the next year pouring myself into my little business, which was now my primary means of income, other than unemployment. I prayed that God would guide me during this time and did the footwork necessary to make the dream come true. In my case, I came to the realization after eight months that I wasn’t as committed to working 15 hours days as I had originally thought. Owning a business is a huge investment of time and mental energy. I found myself becoming depressed because I had no time to do the things that enriched me spiritually, like spending time with friends or going to daily Mass. I barely had time to pray!

After all the hard work, it became clear to me that for my business to support me, I would have to work even harder than I already was and so I chose to go back to working FT for an employer. I prayed on that as well, and the Lord did send me an opportunity that turned out to be a blessing.

Just keep trying and praying. As long as you are putting God’s will first, and asking for help, you really can’t go wrong!
 
mike_sieber said:
Yesterday, my boss basically said that if my attitude doesn’t change, I’m gone. Fair enough.

I admit that I was pretty depressed last night. Didn’t know what I was going to do if I lost my job. Then I started wondering if God wasn’t trying to give me a kick in the pants to quit slacking and start working harder with my freelance career so I could leave this place and work from home full time.

Then again, maybe he’s trying to punish me for something.

Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
Keep in mind we ought to be honorable with our responsibilities.
When we are employed, we are expected to do a good job. If your boss gave you a warning, the first thing you should do is to pay more attention to your job duty and improve your performance. God will not be pleased if you are slack on your duty. That I can say for sure.
 
You said you have worked at a job for along time that you hated? That is proof enough you are in the wrong line of work. Either get out and work at something you can be passionate about or your course will self correct. Better to do it on your own terms.:cool:
 
mike_sieber said:
I’m Then again, maybe he’s trying to punish me for something.

Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
I don’t think God has to make much effor to punish us for anything, we seem to do a great job punishing ourselves. Just read in Fr. Solanus’ wirtings yesterday, the counsel he gave over and over again to people who came to him for help, that what we regard as an evil, misfortune, curse or punishment today, if we cooperate with God, we will one day come to regard as a blessing.
 
raphieboy said:
I like you ask God everyday to let me know what His will is for me and my life, and I’m still waiting for an answer. The way I look at it is, if I really stray off the track that he wants me on, he’ll let me know. I also keep expecting to hear him tell me things or answers to questions I ask, and I wonder why doesn’t he answer. Then I realized that He was answering me, not directly, but through others, through me feelings, etc. Remember, God is not in the Hurricanes, the Fires, the Thunderstorms, He is in the breeze that ever so quietly brushes by us. Don’t look for Him, He’ll find you, just be aware that it might be in a round-about way. I too had a job that I hated and it was really doing a number on me, but it paid my bills. I am a pianist/musician, but it is very difficult to make a living on music so I had to take this job to support myself. Finally I became so miserable and depressed I knew I had to do something. I quit my job and started working on my music and within a week, my mood improved and depression went away, and I was once again the person I wanted to be. I know this is easier said than done, but trust in the Lord and he will provide. He just expects you to work at it too. Stop slacking, and get busy on your own business. There are few things better than being your own boss and working from home, that is a goal you should really stive for, for it gives you freedom that most people will never have or know. God does help those who help themselves. I’m back to being a musician. I may never be rich, but I’m paying my bills and I know God is looking out for me, because I’m trying to make the most of the gifts He gave me. I’ll pray for your success.
Click to expand...
 
Here is a proverb from the Bible: Trust in the Lord with all your
heart. Lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways,
acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.

When I feel like God is not directing my paths, I ask: in which
of my ways am I not acknowledging Him?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top