My Testimony -An excerpt from Stillness In The Storm

This is an excerpt from my upcoming book "Stillness In the Storm: Handling Job Loss God's Way". I wanted to publish this excerpt because I wanted to encourage those job seekers who have lost their confidence in themselves; doubted their faith and dealt with the fallout of losing their job. This passage is very personal.

In The Beginning
In early summer of 2008, my employer was going through a financial crisis-the deteriorating economy and serious internal problems had had a negative impact on their stock price, revenues and profits. The executives had to take action or face the demise of the firm. I knew many of the executives personally. They were intelligent and thoughtful people who really cared for the employees under their charge. I can only imagine what they felt the day they had to choose who would stay and who would go.

The Morning
It was a sunny Thursday morning in late June. I drove work trying to sing praise and worship songs with the radio (though I can't sing). Usually I have a warm feeling inside when I am praising God. To me, it is a sign that I am connecting with The Lord and getting in the “Spirit”. However, there was no warm feeling that day. My wife and I were planning to celebrate our wedding anniversary on Friday so this Thursday was my “Friday” for the week. I had a full day of recruiting on slate- A lunch meeting with a potential candidate; phone calls and my weekly conference call with my supervisor. Sometimes the best planned days turn out to be the worst disasters.

The Afternoon
The lunch appointment with the candidate ran over time so I had to hustle to my car to get back to the office. My supervisor called my cell phone as I opened the car door. “We need to have a conference call with the new Corporate HR manager.” she said quietly. She gave no indication of what was going to happen. When I arrived I noticed the Human Resources Representative was in the conference room. “She is here for me” I thought as walked to my office. The phone call with my supervisor confirmed my thoughts to be true. My supervisor was cool and professional on the phone. Her tone and demeanor told me that she had a difficult task to perform. “Due to economic issues and the company's financial position, your job has been eliminated. Today is your last day.” Although I had a feeling this would happen, it did not make things any better. I still went numb.

The Evening of The First Day
The time after the call was like a faint dream. I went through the exit interview with the HR representative; wrote a good-bye e-mail to my friends across the company; said good-bye to my friends in the office; packed my things and left. I was numb. The 30 minute drive home on a regular day seemed like only a few minutes. My car seemed to drive itself. When I finally snapped awake, I was standing in my kitchen telling my wife and children “Daddy no longer has a job anymore.” My wife and boys hugged me. A family's love has no conditions (I Cor. 13:4-7).

Now What?
Although your “day” may not have had the same course of events as mine but the feelings are probably the same: rejection, fear, and helplessness. Looking back to that dark time, I realize that God was there to comfort and guide me to the next era in my life (Ps.23). My purpose at that company was finished and a new door was set to open. The question was: when?
In the days that followed, I thought was doing ok but an overwhelming sense of sadness crept through the background of my emotions. I was grieving over losing my job. I tried to deny it, ignore it and hope it would go away but the reality could not be denied. My family was in a financial bind. We were in debt and broke. All of the relationships, recognition and respect I had built were gone. I felt irrelevant and devalued. I was hurting.
I would lay awake at night wondering what I was going to do and if God was going to do something. I would watch my wife sleep hoping that her peacefulness would some how find its way to me. “God, where are you? What do you want me to do? How do we get through this situation?” My words fell into the darkness with no echo to cradle them to the floor.
There was a void in my heart where God was supposed to be. I could not feel him. I did not know if He was there. Later, I learned that my thinking was flawed: He was there. Before God could move me to my next place of employment He had to change my thinking about myself, the world and most of all- about Him.

The Inner Battle
Like you, I have battled job loss induced anger, depression and stress. I was angry toward the people who I thought plotted to against me. “They did this to me ”. Of course, no one was after me. There was a bigger trend at work. The economy caused this situation or it could have been GOD trying to get my attention. To get my life back on track, I had to believe that this setback in my career was part of God’s plan. All of the victories and defeats in my life had a purpose and a part in my destiny (Rom. 8:28). I also had to forgive my past employers to set my emotions and creativity free. As you will read, it was a tough battle for me.

I also dealt with depression. For me, losing my job was more that just losing income, I felt that a piece of me died. I felt as if I had no value to GOD, my family or myself. There were nights that I was so down that I was surprised to wake up in the morning. I was in pain and I wanted to end it all. But GOD had other plans.

On October 26, 2008, The stress of losing my job finally overcame me. I went to the emergency room with chest pain. My wife thought I was going to die. We were uninsured and amassed $12,000 in medical bills in a few hours time. After that experience, I learned that GOD still does miracles even when you don't know if He is there to help you. A month later $11,000 of those bills were cancelled. God stepped in and He was not done.......

All rights Reserved Copyright 2009 Hinton Human Capital

More to come...

“5 Things Women Need to Know To Win in the Green or Stem Job Market”

Women are a very important part of the US workforce. Now that we are moving into the era of Green and STEM jobs, which have been male dominated fields throughout history, the movement of women into these fields will be critical to the our country’s long term economic growth. This show shares important strategies that women need to land a successful job and manage their careers.

http://hintonhumancapital.wordpress.com/

Stillness In The Storm Moves To HCM

Hello everyone,

It has been a while since I have posted on this blog. Well here is some good news. Now that the first book in my Stillness In The Storm series has been released, look for more information to come out on this blog. Quotes from Stillness In the Storm will be available in paper on November 7, 2009. Stay tuned for more details.

Just Released! Stillness In The Storm E-Book « Hinton Human Capital Blog

Just Released! Stillness In The Storm E-Book « Hinton Human Capital Blog

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Walking Through The Valley of Unemployment

It is 6:47PM. I am sitting at my desk thinking about the hundreds of thousands of people around the world who will go to bed tonight without a job. Let me tell you that I know exactly how you feel. I have been there within the last year. Sleep is a welcome friend if you can fight through the thoughts about the bills piling up; taking care of the children; if the bank will foreclose or if you are going to survive this valley in your life. The Lord knows I have spent many nights staring at the ceiling wondering what Hewas going to do and what I needed to do.
Let me share a word of encouragement based on Psalm 23:

"Valleys are the most fertile places on earth"

Although these times seem like the end of the world for some of us (ala the shadow of death). It is during times of economic turmoil when the greatest number of new businesses, innovations and inventions are born. Like a wine press, the pressure of a job loss can push people to express their real God given gifts, ideas and talents. You can be certain that your God given gift will make room or a job for you. God promised it.

Here is a excerpt from my forthcoming book "Stillness in the Storm" to help you look toward the abilities GOD gave you to succeed.

Pull Yourself Together and Remember These Things

1. Who you are. What you are able to do and your purpose in life is not diminished because you lost your job.
2. God is the one who gives us our identity, destiny and purpose - not an employer, title, material goods or income.
3. When we lose a job, our value as a person and a worker does not change only our relationship with that particular employer does.
4. Remember that our gifts and talents are meant to be given and there is someone who needs yours.
5. When God made you, He gave you a unique purpose and destiny. He created a plan for your life. This career setback is part of God's plan to take you towards your destiny.
6. No person or entity can change what God has planned for your life except you.
7. If a company hired you before, another will hire you. The only question is when.
8. You will grow stronger and smarter through this experience.

Be Blessed Read Psalms 23,37, 63

A Prayer For Guidance in a Job Search

This prayer is for those times when we feel lost in our job search.

LORD,
I do not know what to do. My vision is clouded and I cannot see You. Where are You that I may follow? Give me the wisdom and vision to do the right thing for right now. I know You said in Your Word:
“I know the plans I have for you,(..), "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jer. 29:11 NIV). Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Ps. 119:105).”
Show me LORD Your plan for my employment and where You want me to use my gifts.
I thank you for Your guidance
Amen.

A Prayer of Forgiveness in Job Loss

LORD,
Help me to forgive those at my last employer with whom I had disputes, misunderstandings or unresolved anger. I release and forgive them as YOU have released and forgiven me (Matt 6:14).
I release and forgive the company for letting me go. For I know any unforgiveness I harbor may hinder me in my walk with YOU. (Matt 18:21-35)
Help those who I have wronged to forgive me and allow me to reconcile with them personally.
(Matt 5:23-26)
Help me, LORD, to forgive myself for the times I did not do my best; complained without reason or did not pay attention to detail. Let my spirit receive peace. (Phil. 4:6-9, Eph 6:5-6, Prov 18:21,)
I thank you for Your forgiveness.
Amen