How I Stayed Motivated During Almost 3 Years of Unemployment Guest Post by KatebyFaith

“Wow. Great news…I guess?” I said to myself. I had just received news that my employer was moving to another city. This was a huge corporation. Honestly, it was no big deal for a lot of people. However, it was a big deal for me. This actually posed a hardship, because I had just bought a new house and I was already faithfully driving to and from work almost 100 miles each day. It took me 1-2 hours to get to and from work. Plus my daughter’s school was around the corner from my job.

By the grace and mercy of God, I was at the company for almost 7 years with impeccable job history. I was a two-time employee of the month, five-star award and North American five-star team award recipient. I was also promoted two times while working there. It was definitely a blessing for me and I am grateful to God for doing it for me. I had to make a decision because I knew that the ‘Move Date’ would be there before I knew it.

I applied for internal and external job postings and nothing panned out. I thought that one of the companies that I applied to was a sure thing. I passed all of the assessment tests and interviewed with six different managers. Yes…you heard that correctly! It was 3 different interviews with 2 managers each. I passed each level until the last interview with the department heads and I never heard anything else. Not even a follow-up call or email. I couldn’t believe it! I did the 100-mile drive thing for about 1 year until my daughter graduated from middle school.

I was exhausted every single day. I would constantly listen to Success Magazine’s CDs about marketing and positivity. I would constantly pray and look at the bright side of things. I just knew things would get better. Each day it was the same. Stuck in traffic on the freeway, working hard all day, helping my daughter with her needs, and going to sleep. Then, back at it again the next day. I prayed and praised my way through it. Finally, my daughter was done with middle school. Thank God! No more traffic.

During this time, I made the conscious decision to resign from my job. A huge burden was lifted off of me. I applied for unemployment benefits and proved hardship. My benefits were awarded to me. Thank you, Lord! Those benefits went on for a little while and they were a huge blessing. Of course, I continued to apply for other jobs but my goal was to start my own business and utilize my gifts and talents. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. Although, I have a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Go figure.

I was attending job workshops at the Employment Development Department’s office, still applying for new jobs, and I started doing internet marketing with some success. Some things worked. Some things failed. But I never quit! “It’s okay, I know God is going to bring me out of this. I won’t be moved by what I see,” I said to myself. As time progressed, I was getting weary because my unemployment benefits were ending soon. I continued with my same routine and that day finally came…my unemployment benefits had completely exhausted. What now?

I started selling stuff around my house on eBay and Amazon. I was selling German pots and pans, clothes, shoes, jewelry, etc…I did what I had to do. I had a mortgage and monthly bills that I had to pay. I made very little money selling stuff and honestly it certainly wasn’t enough to pay my monthly bills. I was still doing the internet marketing thing and it wasn’t producing as I wanted it to. I was so frustrated. “Lord have mercy. How did I get here?” I said to myself. “I thought for sure I would be at another job by now or have a successful business.” I mean… I just didn’t understand it. I have a BBA, MPA, management experience, solid references, and solid work history.

But…still…no job. Now, I am a woman of strong faith but it was certainly tested during this time. I was working on my business from like 6 am – 10 pm at night being very busy with activities, providing value, but producing little profits. But! Yet again…no matter what happened… I refused to quit. I would lay down on my couch day in and day out during my “free” time, which was obviously a lot. I prayed a lot, meditated on God’s word, and read the Bible consistently. I felt stronger spiritually but I didn’t see anything happening in the natural world.

Fast forward to almost 3 years later, I was on the couch crying out to God for work. As soon as I finished crying, my phone beeped and I had a voicemail. The voicemail was from a government agency where I had applied. I called them back, scheduled the interview, went to the interview, and a couple of weeks later I was notified that I got the job! Thank you, Jesus!

My faith in God would not let me give up! And guess what? I started my new job, I was promoted after four and a half months, and I received another promotion after nine months. Each promotion was in a different department. In each promotion, my salary nearly doubled. From 8.68/hr to 16.38/hr to 28.00+/hr. God is so good! And He blessed me with a lump sum payment to pay my entire past-due mortgage balance! This was via a government-funded program, for people who were behind on their mortgage, primarily through unemployment.

It was a rough season. But I never gave up. I refused to quit. I knew that God had something greater for me. God provided it! This was a wilderness period. He trained me to depend on Him. A lesson well learned and certainly well taught.

K.T. Redwine, known as Kate by Faith, is an Author, Servant Leader, and Speaker. She empowers women who were abused to take their power back by becoming liberated through the love and peace of Jesus Christ. She has an MPA, BBA and 7+ successful years in Operations Management. She is also a Business Management Consultant who teaches businesses how to develop, engage, and train talent. Her book, If God Be For Me…Powerful Testimonies to Stir the Christian Soul is out now.