Job Interview: Do Not Be Discouraged and Do Not Give Up!

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

There was a time in my life where I was experiencing continuous closed doors in relation to my career, I applied to jobs and would either receive interviews, but something would come up which meant I could not attend, or I would not get an interview at all. This was strange to me because every job I wanted or applied for in the past I had no problem in getting, but this time something was different. I then decided to do something different, to include God and depend on him to help me find a new job, as I believed that God was telling me it’s time for me to leave my current job.

So, I prayed that God would lead me to the right job and that he would help me in the preparation for the interview. A job came up and this job was perfect for me, I needed something that would provide me with experience in my chosen career field and this particular job required minimal experience and offered to train me and was only a 15-minute drive away from my house.

I received an interview and prayed to God that they would ask me questions that I had prepared for and that he would strengthen me and fill me with his love because God’s perfect love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18) and I usually get very nervous during interviews.

God proved himself faithful, he showed up for me in that interview room, I felt God’s presence helping me answer every question, every question they asked I had prepared for, just as I had prayed about and I felt no nerves. I also had a strong feeling that this job was mine and that I would get the job this time, then the door closed; I didn’t get the job. I was so confused and was filled with discouragement and just wanted to give up, but God spoke to me saying

“I will never get anywhere in life if I give up so easily.”

From then I knew that God closed that door temporarily to teach me a lesson because God disciplines those he loves (Hebrews 12:6). We go through tests and trials in life so that God can strengthen our faith, draw us closer to Jesus and make us more like him (James 1:3-5).

God was testing my faith, was I going to give up? Or was I going to endure and persevere and not allow the way my current circumstance looked to hinder my faith in God (Hebrews 11:1). Of course, God knows all things and already knows the outcome (1 John 3:20; Psalm 147: 5) but it is for our benefit, so that we know that with God we can overcome all things by faith in him (Philippians 4:13) and for us to develop strength of character (James 1:3-5; Romans 5:3-4).

As God’s daughter, I want to please God and I know that without faith this would be impossible (Hebrews 11:6) and I did not want to make finding a new job an idol, so despite my strong feelings of discouragement and wanting to give up, I repented for doubting what I knew God had told me (that the job was mine), even when my circumstance said otherwise. I told God I was going to trust in him whether he opened the door or not because I know that he is the one that establishes my steps and will lead me where he wants me to go. Then I just left it in God’s hands (Psalm 37:23; Proverbs 3:5).

Unexpectedly, 8 days later the job rang me back and said that the vacancy is mine! I knew God opened that door because I surrendered to his timing and his way of doing things (Ecclesiastes 3:1) and because I passed the test of trusting God; not giving up despite how the situation looked.

I just want to encourage someone today, if you’re feeling like nothing is working out, you have constant closed doors in your life or you may feel weary or discouraged and want to give up. Don’t! God will come through for you, you just have to wait on his timing. You’re probably thinking this is easier said than done and your right, but we must depend on Gods strength and power, he gave us the Holy Spirit as our helper (John 14:26). Just ask God to take away your discouragement in exchange for his rest and peace (Matthew 11:28-30) and for the strength to be able to endure and pass the test, until you receive what God has promised you (Hebrews 10:36; Hebrews 6:15) and at the right time God will do it for you, if you do not lose heart nor give up (John 14:14; Galatians 6:9).