Job Security

Job Security

No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

Hebrews 12:11

During times of slow economy, many people lose their jobs, or their work assignments slow to a virtual stop, creating extreme financial and emotional stress. This stress extends into other areas of their lives, such as their relationships, self-confidence, and even physical health.

People go to great lengths to find jobs—traveling to distant cities, reeducating themselves to qualify for better or different positions, and calling in every favor they can from friends and family. Sometimes their efforts pay off quickly; sometimes it takes months to reap a harvest. Once they have, at long last, managed to secure another job, their stress begins to fade, and their lives begin to return to “normal,” whatever that is. (I learned a long time ago that “normal” is whatever I think it is, and everything else is not normal.)

One butterfingered man, who had been suffering from a long siege of unemployment, finally found a job in a chinaware shop. He had been at work only a few days when he smashed a large, expensive vase. Naturally, he was summoned to the manager’s office and told that they would have to deduct ten dollars from his wages every week until the vase was paid for in full.

“How much did the vase cost?” asked the man.

“Three hundred dollars,” said the manager, shaking his head sadly.

“Oh, that’s wonderful!” said the employee. “I’m so happy!”

The employer was puzzled about the man’s glee in having money taken out of his check every week. “I don’t understand. Why does this discipline make you happy?”

The man grinned and said, “At last I have a steady job!”

Father, I am grateful that you love me enough to discipline me when it is needed. I know that even though the discipline is not pleasant, I will be better for it in the long run. Amen.