Stay Strong and Encouraged Through Unemployment

To my LinkedIn community,

If you’re going through a season of unemployment, I want you to know you’re not alone. I’ve been there. I vividly remember what it felt like to be unemployed for about 10 months. It was one of the darkest periods of my life.

The overwhelming helplessness, hopelessness, and sense of loss consumed me. I had crazy thoughts running through my mind. At one point, I was sleeping in my car until I couldn’t keep up with the payments anymore, and even that was taken from me. For the first time, I had to sleep outside—completely broken and without direction.

But then, when I least expected it, someone remembered me. They told me about an opportunity I had never heard of before. At first, I didn’t know what to make of it, but I had no other option but to trust God. I had to believe He had something better planned.

That opportunity changed my life. It allowed me to impact hundreds of thousands of people. I got to travel, meet incredible individuals from all over, and do work that gave me purpose. The moment I felt my lowest, God showed Himself in the biggest way.

Isaiah 41:10 says: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

If you’re in this season, I want to encourage you: Keep the faith. Even when you don’t see a way forward, God does. Use this time to reflect, pray, and prepare for what’s next. It may not look like anything you’ve done before, but trust that He has a plan.

This holiday season, stay encouraged. Someone is remembering you, even if you don’t know it yet. The opportunity of a lifetime could be right around the corner.

Trust Him and His timing. Stay hopeful. And know, this too shall pass.

With hope,

Aaron R. Barnes