When the Layoff Was a Lift-Up: How Losing My Job Taught Me to Trust God More

I remember the day I got the call. I was being laid off.

In an instant, everything that felt secure—my position, my income, my sense of direction—was shaken. Like many, I initially felt embarrassed, confused, and anxious about what would come next. I had done the work, built the relationships, and hit the goals, yet here I was… unemployed.

But what I didn’t know then was that God was preparing to do something far greater in me than a job title could ever define.

Turning Toward Faith

In that quiet and uncertain season, I turned to the only source that had never failed me—God. I dug deep into the Word. Scriptures like Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you…” and Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you…” became daily reminders that my future was still full of promise, even if it didn’t look like what I had planned.

My faith became my anchor. And slowly, a shift began to happen—not just in my circumstances, but in my mindset.

Redefining My Identity

Being laid off challenged me to separate my identity from my position. I realized that my worth wasn’t tied to the role I held or the company I worked for—it was rooted in who God says I am. That clarity gave me peace. It also gave me purpose. I started to see that the same God who allowed the door to close had something new in store. But first, He needed to realign my perspective.

Gratitude Over Grasping

When new opportunities eventually came, I approached them differently. I wasn’t grasping in desperation—I was listening for God’s direction. Whether a door opened or stayed closed, I could rest in the fact that Romans 8:28 was still true: “All things work together for good to those who love God…”

Even now, as a consultant and career coach, that season still informs how I serve others. I don’t just help people land roles—I help them see purpose in their process. I remind them that setbacks don’t define them. Sometimes, they’re just redirections.

A Message for You

If you’re in a season of uncertainty—maybe you’ve been laid off, passed over, or are simply feeling stuck—I want to encourage you: God sees you. He hasn’t forgotten you. This pause might feel painful, but it could be preparing you for something more aligned with your purpose than you could imagine.

Lean in. Reflect. Trust. And when the right door opens, you’ll walk through it not just with a new opportunity, but with renewed strength, deeper faith, and a testimony of resilience.