Apr 25, 2021

7 tips to turn your unemployment into preparation (P.2)

Updated: Jan 5, 2023

Magandáng hapon worker from the start ! Chaírete (Χαίρετε) the one who precedes the dawn.

May the HOLY SPIRIT grant you, the discernment of times, seasons, and opportunities. Spare yourself unnecessary battles and futile discussions.

Proverbs 16 : 1 (AMP) “ 1 The plans and reflections of the heart belong to man, But the [wise] answer of the tongue is from the LORD."

I dare to believe that you have been blessed by the first article in this series. (P.1). The phase 1 is often the one we botch. We plan to do more (productivity) but not enough to do better (quality). We develop programs and fill our days with activities. We try to seize all the opportunities available, ignoring the responsibility to create (for ourselves and others). Yet the more we aspire to know and accomplish GOD's specific will for us, the better our choices will be and our victories will be lasting.

Phase 1 : Know your LORD and know yourself

1. Develop your fellowship: know the LORD and nourish your spirit

2. Do your inventory: Know yourself (Vision, Mission, Skill, gifts, talents).

If you have never done it, I encourage you with the help of the DISC, to identify your profile. In phase 1, you know who you are, where you are going, and why you are going. However, as I wrote earlier, "Knowing your destiny is good, but walk by the spirit is better." So never lose the habit of having quality time with the LORD. Savor every day in His presence.

Phase 2 : Neutralize curses and maximize blessings: Know your rights and duties.

3. Neutralize curses

"The blessing of the LORD brings [true] riches, And He adds no sorrow to it [for it comes as a blessing from GOD]." (Proverbs 10:22, AMP)

During a sermon on the sacrifice of JESUS, Pst. Marcello J. Tunasi said, "GOD's point 0 is greater than devil's point 1000". Halleluyah! JESUS CHRIST is LORD! (Ephesians 1: 19-23; Philippians 2: 9-11; Revelation 19:16). By his victory, we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37) and blessed with all kinds of blessings (Ephesians 1: 3). He made us free from sin so that we could receive his life (Romans 6:23). Each of the seven sheddings of his blood symbolizes our emancipation in one domain. GOD grants us his graces, blessings undeserved in JESUS CHRIST. Amen!

However, the Word asks us to be careful in the way we live. The devil was defeated but he is not dead. He prowls around like a roaring lion (1 Peter 5: 8), doing his best to keep us in lies, prevent us from fulfilling our destiny, enjoying our inheritance, and causing us to sin so that we suffer curses due to bad actions, attitudes or words. Curses allow evil spirits (demons, principalities, and others) to act and prolong the consequences of their actions. The diagram: Lack of communion ⇒ Ignorance (and strongholds) ⇒ Disobedience ⇒ Curse ⇒ Repeated misfortunes in one or more areas. It is important you are aware of this. Do not be satisfied with quality times, without nourishing yourself with the Word. GOD lets himself be found by those who seek him. The HOLY SPIRIT teaches the Word, but He will not read It for us. A child who spends time with his mother, but does not eat, will die. Even if he is the most beautiful, the most intelligent, or has spiritual gifts.

It is written, "Like the sparrow in her wandering, like the swallow in her flying, So the curse without cause does not come and alight [on the undeserving]". (Proverbs 26: 2, AMP). A curse only exists if there is a cause. A curse is the consequence of disobedience to divine law (Deuteronomy 28). This disobedience may be from you and/or others. The path to blessing is brotherhood and obedience. One cannot obey GOD without a measure of faith. However, faith comes from listening (continually) to the Word of CHRIST (Romans 16:17). It is written: "My people are destroyed because they lack knowledge" (Hosea 4: 6). JESUS himself said, "you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32).

Start by breaking the curses due to your disobedience, then neutralize those due to the disobedience of your spouse if you are married, then those due to the disobedience of your ancestors (or descendants), finally those due to disobedience of the inhabitants of the territory where you are. If you haven't done it before moving in, you may also have to break curses due to the former occupants of your home.

3.1 Break curses dues to your disobedience

Asks the Holy Spirit to show you the sins of which you must repent He will answer in different ways. For example, he could draw your attention to an event, an argument, an action, a saying, a habit, an attitude, verses, or a sermon. The scheme to break a curse is:

⇒ Repent of sins (recognize and commit not to repeat them)

⇒ Get rid of any object designated by the HOLY SPIRIT

⇒ Affirm your faith in JESUS CHRIST

⇒ Declare the merits of the blood of JESUS

⇒ Give thanks for the blood of JESUS

⇒ Revoke (by praying) curses and declare blessings (with Bible verses).

⇒ Obey the HOLY SPIRIT if He asks you to perform specific acts. He will never ask you to do anything against the Scriptures.

⇒ Walk-in newness of life: go and sin no more.

This scheme is not exclusive. Enrich it with specific directives addressed to you by the HOLY SPIRIT.

If you have wronged someone, know that your repentance does not force them to reconcile (get along) with you. For Christians, forgiveness is a command, but reconciliation is a choice. Someone can forgive and choose, permanently or temporarily, to be out of touch with you. You are not responsible for other's actions, words, and choices. We will respond individually to the tribunal of CHRIST. You are responsible for your actions, your words, and your choices. Pray for them and walk in the newness of life. It may take some time between your repentance and the end of the curse's effects. It does not mean that GOD does not love you or that He has not forgiven. Keep walking, meditating on the Word, and giving thanks. As you walk, the HOLY SPIRIT will lead you to the crossroads of blessings.

3.2 Neutralize curses caused by the actions of others

The pattern I share is not exclusive. Enrich it with specific directives addressed to you by the HOLY SPIRIT.

⇒ Proclaim GOD is the LORD of your life.

⇒ Recognize and give thanks for the graces manifested through these people or in these places.

⇒ Recognize and ask forgiveness for the sins of others. As an example, in chapter 9 of the book of Daniel.

⇒ Get rid of any object designated by the HOLY SPIRIT.

⇒ Affirm your faith in JESUS CHRIST.

⇒ Declare the merits of the blood of JESUS.

⇒ Give thanks for the blood of JESUS.

⇒ Pray for the reign of GOD to be, and for His will to be done.

⇒ Obey the HOLY SPIRIT if He asks you to perform specific acts. He will never ask you to do anything, against the Scriptures.

⇒ As long as they do not contradict the divine laws and the specific directives of the HOLY SPIRIT, respect the established rules.

⇒ Ask GOD, wisdom, and intelligence to manage resources and relationships.

⇒ Cultivate the habit of blessing.

4. Maximize your blessings: enrich your profile and take care of your vases

"For which of you, desirous of building a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, if he has what [is needed] to complete it." (Luke 14:28, Darby translation)

Faith is not just waiting for GOD to do. Faith is preparing yourself for what GOD will do.

Evangelist and Prophet Mohammed Y. Sanogo says "When GOD blesses you, He does not give you the object of the blessing, but the means to acquire it: Ability - Opportunity - Desire (AOD)."

4.1 Ability: Character + Skills

Identify the qualities to develop for the position you are looking for. Examples of autonomy, adaptability, authenticity, priority management, conflict management, listening skills, self-control, team spirit, etc. Those who know how to develop their potential and recognize their limits are highly appreciated by recruiters. Experts in everything do not inspire confidence. Especially if they lack experience.

Get your finances in order. Made a debt plan if you are in debt. Be accompanied if necessary. Do not take the risk of being registered in the bank incidents file. Find out about the salary range for the position you are looking for. This range may vary depending on the size of the company, the industry, the geographic area, your level of education, the ranking of your school, and the quality of your experiences. Compare this range to your needs and commitments. How much do you need at least on a monthly fixed basis? How much, and how do you plan to save? Take time to talk about it with GOD.

For years, I have given at least my monthly tithe (Why I give tithes). It has never stopped me from time to time, to make offerings, to give to charities, and to have a monthly budget for my association Partage Ton Rhema. Since the beginning of this year, I systematically invest at least 5% of my income each month. I realized that when I saved without a specific plan, I ended up spending a good portion of my savings futilely. From now on I have a specific objective behind each savings. A part is invested, another is in blocked savings (specific project) and a small part is in available savings.

Instruct yourself. As much as possible be bilingual. There are many online training courses open to everyone (MOOC). Some platforms offer certified courses, diplomas, and professional training. The majority of renowned universities and schools offer MOOCs on dedicated training platforms. If MOOCs are not available in your country, follow the free courses on YouTube. Do not be satisfied with theoretical knowledge. Train yourself in tools. Acquire a complementary skill. Cultivate the habit of investing in yourself. Do it for, your service to the LORD and the projects in which you engage. Don't do it just to build your professional career.

4.2 Opportunity: Distance + Location + Time

At what distance from your home could you work? What would be your travel time? Is a move possible? Do you have time constraints (bus, school, childcare, person with a disability)?

Challenge yourself on a number of applications to send per day. Create alerts on job boards, recruitment firms and be present on a professional social network (linkedOut, LinkedIn). Not only big companies are recruiting, small ones too. Daily consults the websites of companies and international organizations. While waiting for a job, you can offer your services and skills on jobbing and freelance sites. Don't forget to check out Mat's platform, Engagés pour DIEU.

Do you have an associative project, a business idea, an application, a website? Maybe is time to start working on it. Start with what you can do today. I did not call any professional to create my websites. I am improving them gradually. Do you know how to bake cookies? Offer them in grocery stores and hairdressing salons. If you are bilingual, offer your services on social networks, jobbing, and freelance sites. What do you have to lose if it doesn't work? Beloved, Faith is not just waiting for GOD to do. Faith is preparing yourself for what GOD will do.

One of my cousins, not finding a job after his studies in South Africa, returned to Cameroon. He created an agro-industrial structure which today generates income. A cousin who graduated from a business school in France, took advantage of her period of unemployment to create her accessories brand. She returned to settle in Cameroon. She has a job, but her products are on sale, in France and Cameroon. Another cousin, at the end of her studies in the American army, invested funds in an activity. Today this activity generates additional income, allowing her couple to maintain stable revenues in times of financial crisis. Another cousin published his second book during a period of unemployment. A friend financed her studies, in one of the three best business schools in France, through jobbing. She does hair and makeup as well as a professional. Today she is employed in a financial institution. And a few months ago, she launched her turban brand. What do you do with your gifts and talents?

4.3 Desire: Motivations + Aspiration

If you followed my advice in the previous article (P.1), your desire is to fulfill your destiny. You know the difference between the terms: gifts, talent, job, and work. You make choices out of conviction (interior testimony) and out of obedience to GOD. You are rid of lust, jealousy, low self-esteem, and competitive spirit. Furthermore, you are looking for a job to build a vision and not just to acquire goods. The vision is not exclusively a company, an association or a ministry. It is any project that goes beyond your person or allows you to assume a responsibility entrusted by GOD. For example, taking care of your family, giving offerings for the spread of the Gospel, paying adoption fees, allowing your children to study in prestigious universities, paying the medical expenses of a loved one, leaving an inheritance to your children, support an orphanage, finance your political campaign, acquire the premises of your future business, etc. Your motivations must be sound and precise.

I hope by now you realize that being unemployed is not being inactive. See you soon for the third and final article in this series. Until then, I'll leave you with two quotes to ponder.

#𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔: "I didn't content myself landing in a meeting every three weeks and play a tape on the occasion. Since my baptism in the HOLY SPIRIT, I have plunged my nose into the Word. By dint of exalting the Word in my life, victories have accumulated." ____ Dr. Joyce Meyer

#𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔: "If you want to become successful, seek to become a person of value. Develop yourself. The more valuable you make yourself, the more value you attract. Consult experience but don't let your experience stop your progress. Follow GOD's plan for your life." ____Dr. Myles Munroe (1954-2014)