Many years ago I quit a job where I was vice president. It was a good-sized company of a couple of hundred people, and I did and still do respect to people there. However, during my whole tenure there, I never could get the peace of God in my work. In truth, I was there due to the wrong decision I made, and I knew it.
Finally, I resigned with no employment prospects in site. We ended up having to sell our nice, two-story, four bedrooms, two bath house and rent a mobile home in the backyard of my in-laws. Oh, and in the process, my wife and I found she was pregnant with twins. It was a very challenging time for me.
Actually, it worked out quite well for the family since my mother-in-law’s help with the twins was just a few steps away. One of my sons helped Grandpa roof his garage, and the kids had a great time with cousins and family. I, on the other hand, was not doing so well.
I felt I had failed my employer, failed my employees, failed my family, failed God. And, during this time I couldn’t get hired by anyone. I was even turned down as a Fuller Brush salesman and a telemarketer, really. Nothing I tried worked, except prayer. I began spending hours in prayer each day.
The passage of Scripture 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV), “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” was something I believed and practiced but it was also a struggle. God was tearing down the faith I had in my skills and the person I thought I was. To rebuild me he had to tear my house down to the foundation. Thankfully, Jesus was (and is) my foundation.
God rebuilt me, piece by piece; some I’ve seen and many I just know. God has blessed me beyond anything I could ask or think, but it took a painful refurbishing, one well after I’d received Jesus as my Lord.
I can affirm that I always attempt (key word is attempt) make my first response to any circumstance one of rejoicing, praying, and thanking Jesus to whom I belong. Whether in poverty or prosperity (Philippians 4:10-13) I know I can be content, That’s real peace.
However, during my whole tenure there, I never could get the peace of God in my work. In truth, I was there due to the wrong decision I made, and I knew it.
Finally, I resigned with no employment prospects in site. We ended up having to sell our nice, two-story, four bedrooms, two bath house and rent a mobile home in the backyard of my in-laws. Oh, and in the process, my wife and I found she was pregnant with twines. It was a very challenging time for me.
Actually, it worked out quite well for the family since my mother-in-law’s help with the twins was just a few steps away. One of my sons helped Grandpa roof his garage, and the kids had a great time with cousins and family. I, on the other hand, was not doing so well.
I felt I had failed my employer, failed my employees, failed my family, failed God. And, during this time I couldn’t get hired by anyone. I was even turned down as a Fuller Brush salesman and a telemarketer, really. Nothing I tried worked, except prayer. I began spending hours in prayer each day.
The passage of Scripture 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV), “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” was something I believed and practiced but it was also a struggle. God was tearing down the faith I had in my skills and the person I thought I was. To rebuild me he had to tear my house down to the foundation. Thankfully, Jesus was (and is) my foundation.
God rebuilt me, piece by piece; some I’ve seen and many I just know. God has blessed me beyond anything I could ask or think, but it took a painful refurbishing, one well after I’d received Jesus as my Lord.
I can affirm that I always attempt (key word is attempt) make my first response to any circumstance one of rejoicing, praying, and thanking Jesus to whom I belong. Whether in poverty or prosperity (Philippians 4:10-13) I know I can be content, That’s real peace.
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