A guest post by Arulnathan John to give you hope, sharing how he lost his job due to the Covid-19 pandemic but never gave up and bounced back.
I was on the list. Sadly, it was not good news. It meant my 20-year career was over. What was I going to do? Would I be able to get another job? Could I bounce back at my age?
But because God had brought me through numerous storms in my life, I took ahold of hope instead of giving up. I knew I needed to see this loss caused by the pandemic as another opportunity to experience His goodness and provision.
I needed to lean in and not give up.
BEFORE IT HAPPENED
For several years, the media industry in my homeland Singapore had to lay off thousands of staff worldwide in response to declining media circulation and readership.
Since 2003, I had survived more than eight layoffs at the media company I worked in.
When I learnt about the retrenchment exercise on 18 August, I prayed that I would be among the safe ones again.
TRUST?
But this time, as I prayed, I sensed God speaking softly to me to trust Him. Calm assurance gave way to fear, but I could not mistake that still small voice.
So I prayed that God would save me from the retrenchment, but then added: ‘’LORD, if it is Your will that I be let go, I accept Your will too and I know that You will lead me through this. Amen.’’
We were notified that the affected employees would be informed by the end of the day. When 6pm on 18 August came and no phone calls came, I felt sure that I was safe.
I was on my way to meet a friend for dinner when my smartphone rang at 6.15pm.
‘’So sorry but you are on the list.’
I was numb as he informed me to go to Human Resources to clear the necessary paperwork before my last working day on 31 August.
When I told my sister the news, she was shocked at first but then calmly assured me that doors and windows would open for me.
The next day, I accepted my new situation and spent the morning in prayer before heading to the office.
NEW THINGS?
Upon hearing of my retrenchment, an old friend told me that this may be a time of reinvention to learn new skills to re-tool myself for the ‘new normal’ post-COVID workplace.
Another friend shared that miracles occurred only after we first decided to make the first move to ‘‘walk on water’’.
These words jumped out at me during my quiet time.
‘’See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.’’ —Isaiah 43:19 NIV
Could an old dog like me learn new tricks? I considered these thoughts as I started signing up for courses and job searches.
Thankfully, my former workplace and the union enabled me to have access to job search facilities as well as career workshops. I learnt how to rewrite and craft my resume and CV to attract the right employers. It was all Greek to me as the last time I had prepared a CV was more than 20 years ago!
Meanwhile, I checked the online job portals and received job referrals from former colleagues and editors who learnt of my new situation.
I sent my resumes to employers and awaited the results.
It’s GETTING REAL…hard…
It was a struggle to stay resilient at first.
I was looking for a full-time position that would be able to give a salary close to my last-drawn salary. But many jobs I applied for preferred younger applicants or I had to consider drastically lowering my salary expectations.
At first, I was realistic – getting rejected, or no replies at all, was to be expected. But after several weeks of waiting with no replies, not even acknowledgments of the documents, discouragement began to creep in.
I became more withdrawn when some former colleagues who had been laid off at the same time shared on social media about landing good positions.
I asked God in desperation: ‘’What is wrong with me, LORD? Am I over the hill? Is it over for me and am I a has-been?’’
But through it all, God understood my cries, and placed His words in my heart.
‘’‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’‘’ —Jeremiah 29: 11 NIV
Although I had encouraged many friends and former colleagues who had been retrenched, I realised that my experience did not help much when I had to navigate my own journey.
Meanwhile, rejection slips began coming in and I saw the dream jobs that I felt were within my reach slowly slip away. I did not feel like I was in a good place.
But supportive family members and friends helped me stay the course. During my prayer time, the Word of God was more alive to me than ever before.
His Word in my heart during prayer gave me the strength to persevere and continue to stay positive.
My employability coach encouraged me, saying that success was just round the corner and would come to those who patiently waited for their opportunity.
The words of Winston Churchill helped decide the final rounds of my inner fight.
“This is the lesson: never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense.” (Excerpt from a speech by Winston Churchill to the boys at Harrow School on 29 October 1941)
FINALLY
I was ecstatic when I received three job offers in September – a sign of God’s favour!
- One was a referral by my former editor for a six-month contract position at another media agency.
- A former client also referred me for a management position at a well-known enrichment centre.
- The third offer was for a relationship manager position at a financial services company.
After prayer and consideration, I accepted the contract media position.
“This is the lesson: never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense.” —Winston Churchill Share on X
EVEN BETTER
What I thought was the end of the road was instead a blessing in disguise, a chance for God to show Himself in a deeper way to me.
‘’And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.’’ —Romans 8:28 NIV
Instead of moaning over what I had lost, I was more grateful for the blessings that I have, and the financial help from the Singapore government to help tide me through.
I also developed a deeper understanding of my situation and that of many others in similar circumstances.
As I slowly learn to embrace change, increase my faith, and put my hands in God’s hands, the words of Psalm 23 are now more alive to me.
‘’Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me…Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.’’ —Psalm 23: 4, 6 NIV
WHAT ABOUT YOU
- How are you struggling in this pandemic?
- How does this story give you hope?
- Share in the comments.
Arulnathan John is a committed Christian who loves the written word and the many forms of telling a good story. He has worked in the media industry for over 20 years and counts C.S Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Charles Swindoll and Max Lucado among his favourite authors. He also loves reading, swimming, working out, movies and catching up with friends and family over food, wine or coffee (not necessarily in that order).
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I love that quote by Winston Churchill.
I agree that quote is powerful. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Thank you so much for your thoughts and yes, those quotes by Winston Churchill were very powerful and still inspire me today! Thank you so much for reading and commenting!