How Can I help My Newly Unemployed Son?

Q: After 20 years as a loyal employee, my son has lost his job in order for the company to make room for a younger person with less experience but more education than he has. I am worried about him because he has fallen into deep depression. He feels rejected and like a complete failure. How can I help him? — W.M.

A: Losing a job can be a very traumatic experience. Often our self-esteem is tied to our work. When someone is laid off or fired, it can have a serious psychological effect. In our culture, men and women often define themselves by the jobs they hold. If you listen closely, you’ll hear people be introduced by their name, followed closely by their job title. This usually happens when their work is in a field that is highly visible or exciting. But a person’s job tells you nothing about a person’s character or value.

It is wise to help others understand that personal worth is not tied to a job. Many people have lost one job only to find that this was God’s way of re-directing their lives. Be an encourager by pointing to God, acknowledging His provision for those who will look to Him as the Source of all things. This can be an important time for spiritual growth. If a person is not a believer in Christ, losing a job could be God’s way of getting one’s attention, opening the way to consider the need for salvation and for God’s direction in life. For those who know the Lord, pray that they will rely on the Lord to reveal the next step in life, because He promises never to leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

========

(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

(c)2018 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.