Barely two weeks ago my life was thrown a curveball. While I grew up playing baseball, I understood the limits of my batting skills. This pitch made me feel like I was playing a high school scrimmage against the Boston Red Sox. I was out of my league. You see, an ominous email arrived from my employer stating that our funding was being cut and there might not be enough left over to keep me on past the end of the month. My wife had been thrown the same curveball a month earlier and struck out. 

Immediately, I applied for a dozen jobs. It does not hurt to have a backup plan, right? The responses were quick and promising, but also depressing. The companies showing an interest were all in other states and the jobs would not be available for long. My anxiety increased. I love it here. I moved my family here to be closer to family members and to raise my kids around the values that I grew up learning. Decisions of this magnitude should not be rushed, so I prayed.

Praying does not come effortlessly to me. Before I pray, I typically organize my thoughts and reflect on what it truly is that I hope to learn through my conversation with God. This time I did not even know where to start so I turned to the Bible and found this encouragement. 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV)

After reading this passage I skipped my normal prayer routine of organizing my thoughts and reflecting on my situation. I simply presented my request to God. I prayed, “Lord, show me the path you want me to choose.” This simple prayer, even by my own standards, brought instant relief to my anxiety.

I chose not to make a hasty decision, and in the following weeks, God revealed His plan for me. The job I loved was not going away any time soon. I could relax a little and make plans for my family’s future without worrying about uncertainty. Scripture states, “For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV). I take hope in this and know that my future is in God’s hands.

This post was written by a group of volunteer writers who strive to share God's truth through an online platform, but may not reflect the views of The Vineyard Church as a whole. To learn how you can get involved, email us at   .

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