It’s Giving Job Season. And I Hate It Here!
Content Warning: This post references the story of Job, not as a religious lesson but as a raw, relatable reflection of what it feels like when life keeps coming for your neck. Job’s story mirrors the waiting season: patience, growth, and the shift that follows struggle.
What happens when God puts your life on pause
Nothing is working out for you
Blessings seem like they are being blocked
No one believes in you
You don’t blame them
You’re watching things work out for everyone else
You’re in the dark and don’t know how to move forward
You keep asking when…
Before You Read Listen to The Battle Is The Lords – by Yolanda Adams
Navigating unexpected changes, chaos, and dark times is an incredibly challenging journey, especially with the loss of stability, jobs, relationships, dreams, and severed family connections. Of course, those things usually come in threes and it’s possible to go through all tribulations simultaneously. Is there a threshold of pain life can put you through before it considers- maybe it’s pushed you to your limit? The weight of these changes often hits us suddenly, leaving us feeling overwhelmed and lost. Acknowledge and validate that pain while seeking ways to navigate turbulent waters.
Initially, there’s a sense of sanguineness that things will eventually fall back into place, that there’s a reason behind this sudden demise. Many try to regain their footing, attempting to fix their lives independently. Others seek resources, turn to peers for support, and bravely allow themselves to be vulnerable, sharing their struggles. They are broken down to the point they look to a higher power to lift them out of the dark. But despite these efforts, it can feel like an insurmountable curse. The battle is losing, their intentions aren’t appreciated, and blessings are perpetually out of reach.
JOB 23:8-10 I go east, but he is not there. I go west, but I cannot find him. I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden. I look to the south, but he is concealed. But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.
The road to recovery might seem elusive, and that so-called ‘better’ waiting on the other side? Might as well be a myth. It’s only natural to wonder if the dark days have an expiration date or if you’re stuck in an endless loop of struggle: financial strain, mental battles, loneliness, the possibility of homelessness. But even in the chaos, something unshakable lingers; a quiet, relentless knowing that you were made for more, no matter how much life tries to break you.
How to Survive any Agonizing Waiting Szn ( Without Losing Your Mind)
1. Face It, Don’t Fake It.
Acknowledge and accept the current situation; it sucks. This doesn’t mean giving up hope and there is no need for toxic positivity. Accept where you are, feel what you feel, and know denial won’t speed things up. Is now the time to ask why? Would it change anything?
2. Phone a Friend (or Therapist)
Suffering in silence won’t make it any better. Seek support, whether a friend, support group, or professional help. Don’t hesitate to ask for assistance. Someone out there has a fresh perspective or a resource you haven’t considered yet.
3. Micro-Moves Over Meltdowns
Break down overwhelming tasks into manageable steps. Focus on what you can control and take small, consistent actions toward progress. Small, consistent steps add up faster than grand, unrealistic plans that never leave the notes app.
4. Stay Open to Plot Twists
This wasn’t part of the plan – cool, noted. But some of the best stories come from unplanned detours. Maybe this mess is making room for something better. Maybe not. Either way, stay open to surprises.
5. Bounce Back, But Like, in Your Own Time
Resilience isn’t about being unbreakable; it’s about being bendy enough to snap back when you’re ready. That means self-compassion, finding coping tools that work for you, and reminding yourself that this moment won’t last forever.
6. Reflect and Realign
Uncertainty has a way of forcing reflection. What do you actually want? What’s no longer serving you? Maybe this isn’t just a delay, maybe it’s a cosmic redirection! It might be an opportunity to realign your life in a direction that better aligns with your true self.
7. Release the Baggage (It’s Heavy, U Gon’ Hurt Ya Back)
Carrying resentment or anger only adds weight to an already heavy load. Letting go doesn’t mean forgetting. It means freeing yourself from the emotional burden to move forward without all the extra weight.
8. Money Stress is Real, So Let’s Get Smart
Financial stress often compounds during tough times. Take steps to understand your relationship with money. Get honest about your habits, find resources, and make a plan. The goal isn’t to become a finance guru overnight. It’s about shifting your money mindset, so it stops running the show.
9. Believe in Something (Even If It’s Just Yourself)
Faith isn’t one-size-fits-all. Believe in a higher power, the universe, your ancestors, or just your damn resilience; hold on to something that reminds you this season won’t define you.
10. You’re a Co-Creator, Not a Control Freak
Recognize that while you have agency in shaping your life, there are elements beyond your control. Embrace the concept of co-creation with the universe, where you play a role in manifesting your reality. Balance ambition with surrender, push forward, but leave room for the magic of the unknown.
11. Let Go. Seriously.
Sometimes the only move left is to release control and let the universe do its thing. Trust that there’s a larger plan at work, even if it’s unknown.
12. Gratitude is a Cheat Code.
Not saying you should be grateful for the struggle (ew), but noticing the small wins? That’s a game-changer! Gratitude doesn’t erase the hard stuff, but it keeps you from drowning in it.
Play: The Storm is Over Now – Kirk Franklin
At the end of the day, no one has the perfect roadmap through chaos. Your path is yours- messy, unpredictable, and uniquely built for you. Trust that clarity will come. Trust that you’re built for this and even in this waiting era, you are becoming.
JOB 14:14 All the days of my appointed time will I wait, Till my change come.
You don’t have all the answers and that’s okay. You might not be okay- you don’t have to be. Just know you are not stuck. You are where you need to be, growing. Even if you don’t feel like it. After the chaos clears, you might just realize…you were never waiting. You were becoming.