Everyone is trying to make sense of our world today, but no one can. When COVID-19 began causing things to unravel, many of us feared losing our jobs. And for thousands of people each day, that fear has become a reality.

Many lives are suddenly in the midst of a transition, and we all feel like we’re living in an upside-down world.

Your mind may be flooded with questions right now, like:

• How long will we be shut down?
• Is this just temporary?
• Will the business survive?
• How will I pay my rent?
• How can I look for a job with so many businesses closed?
• Why did some get to keep their jobs, but not me?
• What do I do with my time?

If you are unemployed, you’re asking these questions and many more. I’ve been there before and experienced what you’re feeling.

Fear and anxiety are present, even for us Christians. We aren’t exempt—we’re still human and fear the unknown. Today we can’t see what’s next in our lives, and we don’t know where we are going.

Don’t beat yourself up about those fears. Acknowledge them and accept that you’re normal. God knows we’re afraid, but He wants to calm us and help us let go.

I believe I read once Jesus said, “Fear not,” 365 times in the Bible. I didn’t count them, and I know it’s a lot. But if 365 is accurate, it’s a nice daily reminder.

Take a deep breath. As you go on this journey, please remove the word “if” from your vocabulary. It’s not “if you find a new opportunity,” it’s “when you find a new opportunity.” It will happen, you just don’t know when.

Here are three things you can do in your waiting.

1. Self-Reflection

Take some time to reflect on your gifts. Think about what you do well, what you enjoy doing, and what gives you JOY. You can do many things, but what are you gifted at? You want your next opportunity to engage those gifts. 

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms (1 Peter 4:10).

2. Preparation

Perhaps you have more time than you want right now. Make certain to use some of that time each day to do something positive to prepare for whatever is next.

Picture yourself as a relief pitcher for a baseball team. The manager is going to need you for the game, you just don’t know when. You must stay prepared.

Take time to update your resumé, begin preparing for future interviews, learn a new skill, or improve what you have. Take advantage of available online training.

Remember, you don’t know when your next opportunity will come, but be ready.

“…But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready…” (Matthew 24:42-44)

3. Balance your intake

Over the next week, try this out.

Whatever time you spend watching the news, which is full of information about things we can’t control, balance it with the same amount of time in Scripture and prayer.

Read about God’s promises for us. The Bible is full of thousands—yes, thousands—of God’s promises for us. Enjoy them.

Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts. Proverbs 4:23 (GNT)

No matter how difficult it is today, know that God is by your side with every step you take.