Rob’s testimony tells of trying times and trusting in God to get him through the darkness when all around were falling. His testimony is encouraging reading to all those going through trying times.
My organisation has been going through a lot of re-structuring and reorganisation over the years. I went through re-organisation about 4 years ago and at that time i had to be reinterviewed for my job. I didn’t tell my wife as I didn’t want her to worry or for it to affect my girls. It was hard, but I passed the interview.
Fast forward four years and my team along with many others had to go through what they call ‘transformation’. I chose again not to tell my wife however, this time the whole interview process was very different and much harder. The interview was based entirely around the council’s values, so questions were very specific requiring specific answers with examples of a problem requiring a solution. Detailed, step by step evidence of exactly what I did to solve it and a very clear outcome were required of me. My colleagues prepared and practised their examples for months however I wasn’t able to prep at home because my wife didn’t know about the sotuation and prepping at work wasn’t possible as I got caught up in doing the job I was paid for during the day.
I tried to do some prep at work the week of my interview but it wasn’t enough. As a result I was told I hadn’t met the required threshold and therefore had not been successful in securing the job I had done for 10 years.
I was devastated.
I have a mortgage, a young family and all the bills and outgoings that come with maintaining a family,a car and a home.
I was in a pretty dark place; waking up at night feeling utterly tormented, my confidence took a real hit and I literally felt like a dead man walking. My colleagues and management were very very supportive and allowed me time to prepare and apply for other council opportunities that had been made available through the re-organisation / transformation process.
I prayed more than ever, every night my sleep was broken so I prayed. I applied for three jobs that I felt I could do, or already did an aspect of that work and I was shortlisted for all three! Others in a similar situation were not shortlisted for any of the jobs they applied for. Completing applications, preparing for interviews and all the worry was very draining. I had a large bump appear on my eye and lost around 5 pounds in weight.
I had to attend two one- hour interviews and two 45 minute assessments on the same day. I then had another assessment and interview two days later for the third position.
Two days after the first interview I was called in to my Director’s office and was told that I had been successful for one of the posts, but early the following week I was called up and offered the job I really wanted which was a higher band up with a higher salary. I was in shock! God took me from minus one to plus two – Hallelujah !!!!
During the whole process I found I needed God more than ever. The stress and pain drew me closer to Him without a doubt. HIS word also resonated in a deeper way. I told God HIS word says He will neither leave me nor forsake me:
Deuteronomy 31:8 – And the LORD, he [it is] that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
Deuteronomy 31:6 – Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he [it is] that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Hebrews 13:5 – [Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Joshua 1:9 – Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee whithersoever thou goest.
I also pleaded with God to not let this bitter cup pass over to my wife or my children.
I stood on God’s word, particularly Jesus’ words to his disciples regarding peace:
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
I believed it and received it despite the pain. I told myself to completely trust in Gods word and it really helped.
The following ‘word’ was presented to me by my sister as support at the time:
Romans 4:17 (as it is written: “I have made thee a father of many nations”), in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead and calleth those things which are not, as though they were.
I truly felt Gods power in this word so I stood on it and spoke it to God all the time,especially in regard to the job I really wanted. Although I literally felt like a dead man walking, I trusted God that through HIM I could be alive again and also that something that wasn’t could actually be IF I trusted HIM / HIS word and believed by faith !!!! )
HE can do anything if we trust and believe – HE is Sovereign over all !!! As a result of God being true to HIS promises and HIS word (HE does not lie). I am a living testimony – Hallelujah !!!
Going forward I can say that although hard and painful I learned more about God and how close he draws to us during difficult times, especially if we call on him, utter HIS word and trust HIS word.
When we trust and are expectant this is a real show of faith to God and because HIS promises are true, HE rewards our faith !! I also learned that we only need to do the basics as a requirement, ie: get to action, complete application form, prepare for interview – HE will do the greater part so that HE is rightly glorified. Praise the Lord forever !!!
Every blessing
Rob