UNEMPLOYED? How You Can Live on Less

Benefits of Faith

Unemployment has generated millions of bitter victims who feel betrayed by their employers. Raul, mentioned previously, was heartbroken by unexpected  job losses twice-once  in his homeland of Peru and then in New York City. After being laid off for the second time, Raul concluded,  "In the world today, absolutely nothing is secure."  For months he had no success  in finding employment.  What helped him to cope?  Raul stated, "I had developed a close friendship with God and realized that  for real security I just needed to trust in him." 

Raul was one of Jehovah's Witnesses, and his study of the Bible helped him to develop strong faith in a caring heavenly Father, who promises:  "I will by no means leave you nor by any means forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)  Conditions were not easy.  "We always prayed for our basic necessities, and we learned to be happy with what God provided,"  he says. Raul's wife, Bertha adds:  "I felt very nervous at times, wondering if Raul would find a job.  But we saw that Jehovah answered our prayers by providing for us each day.  In a sense, even though we didn't have as much as before, our life was much simpler."

Because Fred is one of Jehovah's Witnesses, his study of the Bible profoundly affected the way he dealt with his situation.  "At times, we look for security  in a job, a position, or a bank account," he says.  "But I learned that the only security we can have is from Jehovah God alone, and it is our friendship with him that provides  the only genuine security."  

Next time: YOUNG PEOPLE ASK/Am I Read to Leave Home? 

From the Awake! magazine