However, what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ. Yes most assuredly, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; Philippians 3:7'9 WEB.

I once had a well-paying job with great benefits, at least by South Carolina standards. I was a maintenance supervisor over a crew of men in a factory. It was the only job I ever had that provided health insurance and a matching 401k. The boss loved me. It was a great job, but I had to work twelve-hour shifts every Saturday and Sunday doing maintenance while the plant was closed.

During that time, a spiritual hunger began stirring within me. I hadn't been able to attend church in years, and I began to crave more of God in my life. So, I started listening to an audio Bible all day by keeping an earbud in one ear. Then, a desire came on me to fast for a while. I can tell you that if your body ever feels like "fasting," you can be positively sure it's the Holy Spirit prompting you. No flesh desires to fast on its own accord because feasting is more appealing. So, I began to fast and pray three days a week.

I would hear myself praying crazy prayers for the Lord to remove anything holding me back from Him. I would pray: "Put me where I need to be, Lord. Burn anything out of me that needs to go." After a few weeks of this, they suddenly called me to the office and laid me off without warning. I was a bit shocked at first. I felt wronged. I didn't see that coming, and I had just bought a house. I could feel bitterness wanting to creep in. Yet, I also knew in my heart that God had something better, for no one could have taken my job away unless He allowed it.

I wanted to work in a Christian environment anyway, like in a Christian bookstore. Somewhere that I could be around other believers and talk about Jesus. Maybe God was making that happen for me. Not! When my unemployment ran out, He put me right in the middle of a huge group of hardcore sinners'the kind that you avoid in the alley and for one-third of my previous pay.

I humbled myself, kept my head down, and gave God full permission to do whatever He wanted in my life. I tried my best to be the perfect employee and led some of them to the Lord. Soon, it became a Christian environment. Then He pushed me into my own computer business, through Bible College, and much later, into ministry. I wouldn't be here today if He hadn't changed my employment back then.

I would have probably retired as a supervisor because I was happy with the job. Yet, the Lord had so much more waiting on me once I became willing to let it all go, to let Him have His way in my life. Now, I welcome being laid off. Unemployment has become a sign of promotion to me. Each time it has happened, after I went through the dry time of desperation that always follows, it ended up being better. I can honestly say, "Show me Your way, Lord." Paul counted everything he had lost as rubbish, or dung, compared to what he had gained and what was still coming.

So, if you face losing a job or you're having to work at one you despise, know that God is still in control. No one can take away your job without Him allowing it. Press into Him wholeheartedly. Work for Him, and reject the fear and doubt that comes. Know that in the end, this will work out for your good. Allow God to remove the things that need to go. Know that promotion comes from the Lord, though it may take you along the scenic route.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please have Your way in my life. I want more of You today. Please guide me, teach me, draw me, and use me. I surrender to all that You have for me, Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

Note: 'Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.' (Philippians 4:6-7) ~ If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network

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