It’s been a long time since I last posted a blog containing some of my life experiences that I really wanted to share with the world.
Sa tagal ng panahon na yun, nananatiling tapat si God.
This time, I want to share something that can help you somehow – pwedeng sa ngayon o sa daraanan mong sitwasyon. Are you seeking guidance from the Lord? Do you desire a clear direction from Him? Do you want to do something that you know God is urging you to do?
As much as I want to share all aspects of my life, this time, I desire to focus on my current career journey and how the Lord has guided me every step of the way.
It was five years ago when God finally answered my prayers regarding the job I had been praying for. I won’t go into too much detail about the journey after I graduated from college, as I’ve covered it in a previous blog (you might want to read it when you have some time hehe) – “Hopeless kana ba?”
To cut a long story short, God provided me with a job that not only supported my family but also my ministry. I had prayed very specific – Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at malapit lang sana sa church kase may ministries ako sa Lord – and He answered in His perfect timing, when I was ready to obey hehe. When I got the job, I knew I couldn’t do it without Him. I grew to love my work and especially my colleagues; they became like a second family to me. It was years of growth, not just in skills but also in my conduct as an employee.
However, we can’t predict the future, can we? The reality of life is that there are no perfect people or systems. Everyone and everything is a work in progress. I changed. I felt the need to hear God’s voice again, to let Him guide me in my journey as an employee. I was scared because sometimes His answer isn’t what I expect. I evaluated my situation. I needed God’s guidance, His words to correct or redirect me. I won’t go into the details, but the situation led to mental and health issues. Thankfully, God had answers for everything.
I finally had the courage to ask God, “What do you want me to do now, Lord? Should I push forward? Do you want me to stay or leave?”
While waiting for His answer, I listened to sermons about leaving or resigning from a job. When is the right time to say goodbye? What considerations should we take into account before making a decision? I know how disastrous a decision can be when I don’t obey God. I know things won’t be sustainable and will be a distraction if I don’t listen to God and instead decide on my own.
I also sought advice from people I value. I cared about their opinions regarding my situation, and I appreciated their concern for me.
But there was one thing I sought above all else: a direct word from God. What does God think about my situation? I was in a state of confusion, unsure of how to decide and what action to take.
God is so good that when we pray sincerely and wait for Him to speak, He will surely answer us.
In 2022, three months before the year’s end, in the middle of the night, I poured out my heart to God, trusting that He could speak into my situation and guide me in the best course of action. I trusted that His answer would be specific. I prayed, “Lord, you know how difficult this decision will be, you know exactly what I want this time, but I want your will to be done. Can you please tell me whether to stay in my job or leave? I desperately need your guidance, I don’t know what will happen to me, but I will trust your words.” That night, the Lord led me to read the book of Luke, starting from chapter 2 up to almost half of the book. God’s message was astounding. He gave me a very specific answer, found in Luke 4:42-44:
42 Early the next morning Jesus went out to an isolated place. The crowds searched everywhere for him, and when they finally found him, they begged him not to leave them. 43 But he replied, “I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent.” 44 So he continued to travel around, preaching in synagogues throughout Judea.
I was overwhelmed at that moment. I never expected to find such a story in the Bible, where people begged Jesus not to leave them, but God insisted on moving forward to continue His mission – to preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God.
As I meditated on these verses, I found them strikingly similar to my situation. Many people are advising me to stay, but there’s something within me that believes God has so much more in store for me. I know He has a plan. When He gives instructions, there’s a reason. Perhaps my assignment in my current role is coming to an end, and I’m about to move on to “other towns” — another workplace for a new assignment. What I understood was that God was telling me to LEAVE.
What do you think I did next?
Did I obey God?
I did quit my job, but I still have doubts about my decision. There were people who asked me to stay for valid reasons – they wanted me to find a new job before quitting, they wanted me to stay so I could see the change I was praying for, they wanted me to stay because “sayang” since many people were looking for jobs and here I was quitting. I fully understood their reasons and appreciated their concern for me. However, leaving my job was necessary for many positive changes – not just for me, but also for those I was leaving behind. I knew it would save good relationships and it could open opportunities for others after I left, because I knew God had a plan.
I thought of the story of Jonah, where he went to a place God didn’t want him to go, causing a storm. God wanted Jonah to go to Nineveh, but because Jonah didn’t obey, people around him suffered. Jonah knew the reason for the trouble and chose to be thrown into the sea. God provided a large fish to save him, and when Jonah finally decided to obey, he was brought to Nineveh to fulfill his assignment – to preach God’s message and to spare the people from God’s punishment.
I reflected on that story and stood firm in what I received from God – “LEAVE.”
The moment I made that decision, I had two dreams: one where money was stolen from me, but it didn’t affect me much, and another where it deeply affected me, leaving me in tears. Fear set in, and I knew my dreams were significant. I thought that quitting my job was a sign that I would face financial difficulties. This led me to question if I had truly understood God’s word. Did He really want me to leave my job? And Lord, it’s not easy to lose money now; I need it to survive.
But God can reveal our hearts in any situation He allows. He knew I had the confidence to leave my job, thinking I could still find work and syempre may backpay (haha). I still had reservations; I wasn’t fully trusting God’s provision in my life.
So, I planned to withdraw my resignation letter out of fear of my dream coming true. I continued in my job, and then something happened.
I was hospitalized before the end of the year in 2022. I spent New Year’s there. My bills are not biro ha, malaking pera yun but thankfully, I had a health card that covered the costs. (So I remember my bad dreams that I mentioned earlier, nangyare nga – this is the 1st one scenario in my dream. The money used for the hospital bills didn’t affect me much)
I returned to God in consultation, “Lord, is this for real? Should I still leave despite what’s happening to me?”
God didn’t speak again, because I knew the answer. He confirmed it through a message at one of our worship services back then, twice. What was said was very specific: if your job is affecting your journey with the Lord, what else should you do? Will you wait until you drift away from the Lord? THAT’S INTENSE! Hahaha, I told the Lord, “That’s a bit harsh, Lord.” HAHAHA. Don’t take it the wrong way, merong deeper meaning ito kaya bago magdecide to quit your job tingnan mo maige yung situation kase maaari namang iayos ng Lord ang situation mo sa work. Kaya wag basta-basta magdecide ha. Hayaan mong ipaunawa ng Lord sayo ang sitwasyon mo kase may tamang ways si God. You just really need to hear Him speak.
But here it is upon hearing some confirmation, I said to God, susunod ako Lord.
BUT LORD, I’ll make a way to find work quickly because, isn’t it okay to look for a job right away? So there’s nothing wrong with that for sure. God wants us to have work, of course, because we need money for our everyday lives. But what the Lord wants is for us to learn to listen at all times.
So, I submitted my resignation letter and then something happened again: I WAS SCAMMED.
I saw a job offer on Facebook – an online assistant. During that time, I was so worried that I wouldn’t have a job when I quit my current one. (Sign that I don’t really trust God’s way, basta-basta na naman ang lola mo) Our family was also experiencing a financial crisis, and all I wanted was to help them. So I started looking for jobs. Di ko rin naman masisisi ang nangyare because that moment was so scary! You want the solution agad-agad.
There’s this group of people who did everything they could to make me believe that I was in good hands – they took almost 80k from me in just ONE DAY. (I’ll try my best to make another blog about this so to help you na di mascam)
(So I remember my bad dreams that I mentioned earlier, nangyare nga – 2nd scenario in my dream, someone stole the money from me and it affects me much)
I felt so sad, I just cried that night, and I asked God, “What is happening, Lord? There’s no money left. What will happen to me now? How will I survive after resigning from my job?”
It was 1 month before my resignation would be effective. In the back of my mind, I was considering retracting my resignation because I really needed a job this time. There were very few people who knew about my situation and they showed their concern. They gave good advice, and I appreciate them so much.
I went back to God and said, “Lord, forgive me if I’m being stubborn. I’m sorry if I keep asking you for your answer even though I know you’ve already answered me. I don’t know what will happen to me, all I know is that you are so good and faithful to your words. You’ve never failed me and you’ve never lied. You will do what you said you would do. I’m leaving my job now, please help me to be wise. I know you have plans for me, and I know I’ll get the job you promised me, even though I can’t see it now, but I will trust You.”
It was 1 week before I finally left my current job. Full of hope but also full of fear. Imagine, they were battling in my heart and mind at that time. But I looked back at the timesss when God spoke something and He did exactly what He told me. And I held onto that, with nothing but FAITH.
Then the Lord amazed me and the people around me. Someone called me and asked for my application for a job they heard I was interested in, but they didn’t receive my application, which is why they reached out (it was 4 days before matapos contract ko sa current job ko). The next morning, they informed me that I would have an interview. I was interviewed and thank God, once again, I felt all the prayers of the people I trusted (they did it before nung ininterview din ako noon, grabe yung power ng prayers). Before the end date of my current job, I got the news! “I was hired for this position, and I will start the day after my last day at my current work.”
I still remember when they announced that I was hired for the new role. My Christian colleague was with me, and she cried. She told me that she had been praying for me to find a job so I could have the means to survive, especially with all the bills to pay (hehe). I was truly touched by her. I recalled the verse: ‘Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.’ – Romans 12:15. She hugged me and congratulated me. Glory to the faithful and living God that we have.
Now, it’s my 5th month in my new role, and I can clearly see the Lord working actively. He knew what I needed before I even realized it.
I am so thankful that God has the power to restore and provide fresh, new visions in life, even in terms of our work.
Perhaps before I conclude, I have some good advice to share: Listen to God, trust Him and do what He tells you to do.
I’ve learned that when you listen to the Lord and follow His guidance, you won’t regret it.
>He’ll be with you every step of the way.
>He’ll provide what you need – people and other things.
>You’ll be amazed by what He can do, even beyond what you can see now.
God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through? – Numbers 23:19
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I pray that you will experience the goodness of God in your life as you trust Him. <3
All glory belongs to the ONE TRUE GOD.
I love you, Lord! Because of You, Lord, I was able to overcome everything.
Love,
My Story of Faith
