How to offer hope during unemployment

Be sensitive to how and when to offer ideas... go out for ice cream. Hope During Unemployment by Kathe Wunnenberg from Hopelifter I lost my job! I was jolted by my husband's words. Later that morning when he arrived home, I hugged him, then listened to him share the details of this unexpected happening. His position was eliminated due to budget cuts in defense spending. I encouraged him to take time to grieve the loss of his job. Over the next few days emotions surfaced — disbelief, fear, anger, and sadness. Questions flooded our minds. How would we survive? My income could not sustain us. What steps should we take? When someone you know loses a job, here's how you can offer hope during their unemployment: Pray and enlist others to pray. "I know the plans I have for _______, declares the Lord … plans to give hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11). Invite God to open the person's heart to be willing to trust, have courage, and persevere. Grieve the loss. Job loss hurts. Feel the pain. Replenish. Losing a job is emotionally draining. If you have a cabin or time share, offer it to the person for a weekend or a week away for rest and refocus. Give personal favorites. Make a meal, yummy dessert, or provide a gift card to a favorite restaurant, sporting event, movie, or bookstore. If the person has a hobby, show up with supplies. Develop strategic support. Enlist people or organizations like Career Connectors (www.careerconnectors.org) to help. Who offers expertise in résumé writing? Interviewing? Human resources? Job search? Life coaching? Personal finance? Don't offer advice unless asked. Be sensitive to how and when to offer ideas. Celebrate the small stuff. Job hunting is hard work. Acknowledge accomplishments. Go out for ice cream. Finally, if you are a colleague as well as a friend of the person who lost their job, be sensitive to their hurt but do not avoid them. Reassure them that your friendship will continue outside the workplace, then take steps to make sure that happens. Excerpted with permission from Hopelifter by Kathe Wunnenberg, copyright Kathe Wunnenberg. Are You a Hopelifter? Watch the Video Your Turn How can you love and support someone you know who has lost their job? If you are the one who is underemployed or still searching for employment, what are you doing during this season to stay encouraged and trust God wholeheartedly? We would love to hear from you! Please leave your comments and thoughts on our blog. ~ Devotionals Daily COMMENT Share this devotion with someone who needs it today. Are you a Hopelifter? Get this $6.99 deal for 5 days only! Hopelifter: Creative Ways to Spread Hope When Life Hurts by Kathe Wunnenberg The perfect book for spreading hope in your friendships, workplace, neighborhoods, and homes, and ideal for those in caring roles in churches and ministries. Softcover Regular: $15.99 Softcover Sale Price: $6.99 + free U.S. shipping* on orders $30 or more SHOP NOW "I wish there were something I could do to ease the pain." How often do we see a friend in distress or crisis, but feel helpless to really make a difference?  Hopelifter: Creative Ways to Spread Hope When Life Hurts takes the mystery out of how to be the hands and feet of Jesus to anyone in need of hope, comfort and care.  Kathe Wunnenberg, whose hope-lifting ministry has impacted the lives of thousands, demonstrates simple, practical ways that acts of creative compassion can transform lives.  Whether it's encouraging a jobless friend, lifting the spirits of someone trapped in depression, leaving an anonymous gift for a grieving mother, hosting a starting-over shower for a divorced friend, or playing one small part in long-term support for a family in deep crisis, daily opportunities to make a difference in hurting lives are limitless for a Hopelifter.  Learn more and save over 50% off What our readers are saying... "Hopelifters need hopelifters. As a caregiver this book really has an encouraging message especially when I needed it. I recommend this book to everyone who needs uplifting and who lift others." — Jeannette A., reader review "Absolutely great book! I was attending a "Grief Rites" class and shared with the group." — Celia J., reader review "Great tips and Biblical principles" — Connie S., reader review Learn more and save... *Sale prices valid through 8/31/2020, excluding eBooks.  eBooks purchases are fulfilled by our partner, Glose.  Free U.S. shipping on orders $30 or more, excluding Alaska and Hawaii Devotionals Daily ~ our mission is to help you grow and share your faith. Did you receive this message from a friend? Sign up to start receiving Devotionals Daily. Copyright © 2020 HarperCollins Christian Publishing,  All Rights Reserved. 501 Nelson Place, Nashville, TN  37214  USA Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy *Manage your eMail preferences or unsubscribe

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