I've had to pray about this.....

[MorningGlory]

MG,

There is a lot to contemplate about seeking another position. Eleven years ago I gave up a very lucrative executive job with many perks, but I was subject to the whims of a 7 member board of directors which changed each year. Some years would be awash with bonuses and raises for a well-managed department. Other years were not as good. The travel was exhausting to me and I didn't like that aspect at all. I traded this 'career' for a 'job' that had no travel, less money, better health insurance, paid continuing education and without the stress I had in the old job. I like to write manuals, reports and track statistics.... I work for state and local government and I've been so much happier. There have been some cut-backs and responsibility issues in the last couple of years - but I weigh them against the advantages of living close and doing what I enjoy... that's helped me get through the tough times. Being able to provide a service that is important to so many is something I take pride in and I like the daily challenges.

Happiness has to be a component in your work. Other things like stability, benefits and compensation is important - but having a "terrific" income and corporate perks while working with people who may not give you the respect you deserve or working on projects you don't like or enjoy - is draining.

I pray that God will guide and direct you as you seek answers.

God Bless you!!!

Good insight, sister. I just think I'm ready to move on from the oil and gas industry. What's strange to me now is how hard I worked to get my current position, two years of effort went into it, and the hard fought battle with my boss last year which drove me bonkers but eventually was worked out (I got my own office) and now, within the past two months I've decided I need to go in a different direction. I'm not a job hopper but I know when I need a change. And, like I said in the OP, if I'm gone it will open up the opportunity for someone else. Why don't I feel good about this? I have an interview with another company coming up, btw.

MG,

Well, there are several reasons I can give you, but heres one...

Whenever God gives the go ahead, theres always a peace that comes and overflow unto everything. You move into a confidence mold that set forth all other things into motion to happen. Therefore no questions are left unanswered that will attempt to steer you backward..its golden purpose is to move you forward into what God has orchestrated (arranged, controlled every element and achieved) in bringing about victory into every area of your purpose driven life.

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them and they follow me.

I see what you mean; I'm not feeling good about it because I've received no conviction from the Lord that I'm doing the right thing. I really haven't. He has been silent on this so far. It leaves me pondering on whether I'm making the right decision, for sure. And I continue to feel a nagging guilt, as though I'm not thankful enough for having a good job when the country is going through such a rough time. But I AM thankful and tell Him so. I suppose I will know what God wants me to do when He is ready. Everything in His time.

[georgedrw81]

Jobs and money come and go. Efforts for a job also come and go. Had position from the lowest to the top and even owing manufacturing and distribution in two continents. However the drain was too much and it was not worth it even though the opportunity is still there. You should look for a job and should not worry if it is safer than the one you have now. God allways give us steady jobs even though it does not seem so at the time. My wife lost her previous job working in local goverment but she found the same in a local college in 120 days with only 80 applications. Myself doing a new degree for new career. Our income has never suffered with any of the changes and we are toghether as a family.

Look for another job and if God wants you to get a new one then you will.

Praying

[MorningGlory]

Will your not looking for another job help or benefit someone else?

No, I can't say that it would. Unless there is someone out there in my field that hasn't been able to find employment. That would be pretty unusual.

So, what benefit is gained by your not asking for or looking for another job?

I was thinking along the lines of Butero with his food analogy.

As far as feeling guilty asking the Lord for help - do you refrain asking the Lord to help you find something you lost because there are people with greater losses?

Do you not know He delights blessing His children? If He has not granted their requests yet, that's between Him and them (He has reasons we may not understand, but we have to trust He has a purpose in all things).

He loves it when we come to Him.

Perhaps try this - asking Him if you should be seeking out this other job, either through a word or an open door or some sign, and perhaps some sign to indicate He desires you to be where you are at.

How's that?

I agree that He wants us to come to Him and I try to do that with everything although sometimes I stop and think "is this just too trivial to bother Him with"? Of course, He can do anything and everything at the same time and I know this. I know you're right and, if He wants me to go to another job, I will find one; if He wants me to stay where I am then I'm sure He will make that clear too. It benefits no one if I don't look for another job but I still have the nagging feeling that I'm being ungrateful for all He has done for me already.....like opening the door to my current position when I wanted it so much in '08. I'm thinking the uncharacteristic reservations I'm having may very well be His word to me.

[MorningGlory]

Jobs and money come and go. Efforts for a job also come and go. Had position from the lowest to the top and even owing manufacturing and distribution in two continents. However the drain was too much and it was not worth it even though the opportunity is still there. You should look for a job and should not worry if it is safer than the one you have now. God allways give us steady jobs even though it does not seem so at the time. My wife lost her previous job working in local goverment but she found the same in a local college in 120 days with only 80 applications. Myself doing a new degree for new career. Our income has never suffered with any of the changes and we are toghether as a family.

Look for another job and if God wants you to get a new one then you will.

Praying

Thanks, George. Simple and to the point, then trust Him in all things.

[OneLight]

I say send out your resume's...let God do the rest...

... Allow God to open the doors He wants to open and close the doors He wants closed. Trust in the Lord!

[MorningGlory]

I say send out your resume's...let God do the rest...

... Allow God to open the doors He wants to open and close the doors He wants closed. Trust in the Lord!

Absolutely. I just hope I'm not missing what He is telling me.

[tigger398]

I know what you mean. I need to find a new job to, there is sexual harrassment, and abuse in my job. it's like you said there is no jobs out there, and none that will start what I'm making now. I'll keep praying for you. When God closes a door he always leaves another open.

[nebula]

I agree that He wants us to come to Him and I try to do that with everything although sometimes I stop and think "is this just too trivial to bother Him with"?

Worrying about whether something is trivial is how the enemy keeps you from looking to the Lord. First it's the "small" stuff", then it's the "medium" stuff, then it's . . . . You get the idea. Better to come to Him for any and everything.

Of course, He can do anything and everything at the same time and I know this. I know you're right and, if He wants me to go to another job, I will find one; if He wants me to stay where I am then I'm sure He will make that clear too. It benefits no one if I don't look for another job but I still have the nagging feeling that I'm being ungrateful for all He has done for me already.....like opening the door to my current position when I wanted it so much in '08. I'm thinking the uncharacteristic reservations I'm having may very well be His word to me.

I know the older we get the less two years seems like any significant time. (Remember when just getting through one semester seemed a life time?) But really, two years is a lot of time to learn and grow and develop. It's not unusual to be put in a place for a season.

Sometimes unrest means it is time to move on, sometimes it's just us losing focus. I can't tell you which. If you can't tell, ask the Lord for an open door if He means for you to go or to close the door(s) if He means for you to stay. At least in the exploring, even if the door closes, it will enable you to have a better sense of where you belong.

Does that make sense?

[MorningGlory]

I know what you mean. I need to find a new job to, there is sexual harrassment, and abuse in my job. it's like you said there is no jobs out there, and none that will start what I'm making now. I'll keep praying for you. When God closes a door he always leaves another open.

Oh! Tigger, if you are experiencing those things start to look for another job immediately. You negotiate from a much stronger position when you interview while you're employed. That being said, once you move on, file charges against this company. There ARE jobs out there; they're just harder to find. I will pray for you to get out of that work environment also.

[MorningGlory]

I know the older we get the less two years seems like any significant time. (Remember when just getting through one semester seemed a life time?) But really, two years is a lot of time to learn and grow and develop. It's not unusual to be put in a place for a season.

Sometimes unrest means it is time to move on, sometimes it's just us losing focus. I can't tell you which. If you can't tell, ask the Lord for an open door if He means for you to go or to close the door(s) if He means for you to stay. At least in the exploring, even if the door closes, it will enable you to have a better sense of where you belong.

Does that make sense?

Yes, it DOES make sense. I like my company but the work no longer challenges me and I see other opportunities out there. I will definitely continue to pray for His guidance, for sure. Having this bother me so much is uncharacteristic; I truly believe that God is already telling me something. I just don't know what. I talked to someone who is very knowledgable about taking our problems to the Lord and their take was that if we can't decide what to wear on Monday morning, take it to Him. Not sure I'd go that far but I got the message. We are not to worry but to lay everything at the feet of our Savior.