Edge Press Blogs

Jobs and Financial Provision

by Wes Body on April 07, 2021

This has been such an unprecedented season. I cannot remember a time in my life where the effect of a virus has had such an impact on daily life. Life after the onset of the novel COVID-19 virus has radically changed the world as we know it. Our world, our nation, our city, our church, has been greatly affected. Lives have been lost, families have been separated, and jobs have been eliminated. Our members here at WoodsEdge are no exception to facing the challenges of COVID-19. Thanks be to God, that He has walked faithfully with us every step of this journey, as seemingly exceptional as it has been. Every trial that this new stage of life has begot, the Lord has been using for good, even when we cannot see it, even when we cannot feel it.

If I can pause for a moment to say, that we here at WoodsEdge grieve with you if you have lost a loved one to the COVID-19 virus. For those that call upon the name of Jesus, even death cannot separate us from the love that is in Christ our Lord. We mourn with you, and we want to encourage you, that Jesus is with you in the midst, and He will continue to walk with you. “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39 ESV

One of the ways that God has been working through this difficult time, has been through a prayer ministry on the Zoom virtual platform. So many in our church suffered job losses due to COVID, and God set His church to task to pray for an outpouring of jobs for his people. Due to social distancing for a lengthy period during the early stages of COVID-19, WoodsEdge began a ministry focused on praying for jobs and financial provision for Christ’s church on Zoom. WoodsEdgers and even some outside of the church have come and prayed together, praising our God, and asking Him to pour out provision for His church body. Since we started in May of 2020, we have seen many, many people come to find new jobs and we are so grateful! At one point in late December 2020, every person who had been on our prayer call had received a job! Thank You, Jesus!

One of those stories was a man in our church, German Cortes. German experienced a job loss in the oil and gas industry through COVID. German shared some of his story with us through this season in his own words:

I lost my job at the end of last year and was pretty confident in finding an opportunity within a reasonably short time. So, my preparation never foresaw the realities for this long year that everybody has experienced, including one of the worst financial crises in the Oil and Gas industry that put many workers like me on the streets. These realities still linger and are common to hear of highly qualified mates trying to find a meaningful line of work to supply their needs and stay emotionally healthy. In this environment finding a job has been really challenging, to say the least, but in the process I‘ve been fortunate finding most needed direction and support from Christian organizations such as 'Between Jobs Ministry' from NorthWest Bible Church, the 'Job Seekers' team at Woodlands Church and a more intimate support in the group of prayer warriors at WoodsEdge during the Zoom prayer meetings.    

Trusting Jesus in this process has 'eceeded any expectations. To put in practical context, I have felt disoriented, anxious, insecure and sometimes in plain panic and despair; it’s a bad feeling. Fortunately, each of these situations lasted just brief moments, and for the most part I have been able to have joy and optimism. Even in the midst of a family COVID crisis I was able to help and encourage others, not lose perspective, and remain in good spirits while learning to walk closer with Jesus.

Do not try to cross this desert of life alone. David, Esther, Naomi, Paul, Peter, and other Bible heroes also had to face dire conditions at some point in their lives and their story went to the book to give us the right option. Getting help from friends, family, and partners in the same boat, pulling in the same direction, showing concern for you, and them sharing experiences and providing advice, brings a sense of accountability that eventually counts in the overall process of getting back on your feet.

Monday morning Zoom meetings are my kickstart of the week and it is like the boost to start the week on the right footing. Trusting the Lord, praying, checking on the heart and seeing where my spiritual perspective is. Like anything, you need to develop a relationship with the group and start your own prayers for others and once you are connected, it is a much closer support environment than any other group.

In late December, German joyfully reported to us that he had secured a position with another company. German had been faithfully coming to Monday morning prayer for 7 months at that point! What an answer to the diligent prayers of the saints! James 5:16 tells us that our prayers avail much as they are working. Pastor Jeff tells us, “They are effective!” We are thankful that the Lord delivered German, and so many others in this season, and we endeavor to pray that God continues to do so.

I hope this story brought you encouragement today. If you or someone that you know has been affected financially or experienced job-loss because of COVID-19, we want to encourage you, do not lose hope! We would love to have you join us on Monday mornings. We would love to know any needs that we can help you with. We want to journey with you, as Jesus travels with us. He loves you and cares about you so deeply. Thanking God today for His many mercies through this season.

For more information on our Care Ministry, go to WoodsEdge.org/care

If you or someone you know has lost their job, seen a significant decline in income, or have a heart to pray for people enduring financial struggles in this season, we invite you to join the Praying for Financial Provision Zoom call, Mondays at 9 a.m.
Please use this link: https://zoom.us/j/92340384236.

  

Tags: trust, hardships, job loss, financial provision

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