Keep The Faith magazine - Britain's leading publication about Black faith

Clive Lewis doles out practical advice about coping with redundancy, and shares why it’s still important to trust and hope in God after losing your employment.

During 2011, somewhere in the region of 400,000 people will face redundancy. Even for the Christian, being made redundant is a very personal and difficult thing. And even if you are one of an entire department that has been let go, the feeling of being surplus to requirements - and not being needed - will inevitably surface at some point.Very few of us have the mental strength to avoid the ‘Why me?’ question entirely. Soul searching, and wallowing in the decision the company has made, is a very easy trap to fall into and can be a particularly destructive one. The longer you remain in this state of semi-depression, the harder it is to dig yourself out and start again. But start again you must.

Picking yourself up and moving on is a very testing process, and often requires not just mental, but spiritual strength. It is a myth that redundancy is a sign of weakness or inadequacy. In the 21st century, it is not something to be embarrassed about or to hide from potential employers or your loved ones; this type of stigma in fact disappeared years ago. It is quite likely that you know of someone or some people in your church congregation that have faced redundancy this year. In difficult times, a plea for support is often put out to spouses, extended family, friends, acquaintances and, perhaps, the church.

The acknowledgement of the truths of redundancy doesn’t, of course, make the outcome any easier to deal with. Knowing that there are thousands like you, and that you won’t be pigeonholed when it comes to future job applications, doesn’t help you feel any better, but it does bring home the point that redundancy is fast becoming a career expectation rather than an exception. Economic downturns, like the ones experienced in the mid-1990s and the late-2000s, are no respecter of companies and industries. Like natural disasters they are unpredictable, catastrophic and almost inevitable.

With redundancy now becoming more likely than ever before, it makes sense to be more prepared for it than in previous periods. My latest book, entitled ‘Bouncing Back From Redundancy – 12 Steps to Get Your Career and Life Back on Track’, aims to help readers to do just that.

The fear of redundancy is often worse than the experience itself, and the more prepared you are for it, the less frightening an event it will seem if it does happen to come your way. I was made redundant myself some years ago, an experience which has lived with me and provides the backbone for many of the suggestions in the book.

It may sound like a cliché, but the closing of your individual door can open up others you either never dreamed possible, or doors you have wanted to open for years but never had the chance. In other words, being made redundant can represent a new beginning rather than an end. Paul writes in Romans that ‘All things work together for good to those who love the Lord’. I admit that this Scripture may not make much sense on the day you may be given your redundancy notice. Other Scriptures that may help during a period of redundancy may be Philippians 4:19 - ‘My God is able to supply all your need according to his riches in glory’. A personal favourite of mine is Matthew 6:33, which encourages us to seek God’s Kingdom first, and then He will take care of the other things that we need.

Of course, redundancy may also bring new opportunities. For example, you may decide to start that business; go on that course, or even move abroad to work. This will not apply to everyone, of course, but those who have always felt a burning desire to do something different may now have that chance.

If you have experienced redundancy recently, or fear that redundancy is looming and are wondering what will come next, remember that Jeremiah tells us that God has a plan for each of our lives. Ask Him to reveal what He has in mind for the next phase of your life. Prayer can bring a renewed sense of hope. Trust God. He will bring you through.

Clive Lewis OBE is author of ‘Bouncing Back From Redundancy – 12 Steps to Get Your Career and Life Back on Track’, and leads a one-day workshop on the subject. Visit www.bouncingbackfromredundancy.com for more details.