Coping Strategies for Negative Feelings During Job Search

Now, here’s a prompt that’s timely.

I’ve been among the ranks of the gainfully unemployed for three months now. I keep a spreadsheet with who I applied to, what teh position was, the date, and so on. If I interview with a company, I change the line from Black to Blue. If I get one of the dreaded “Thank you for applying, But” letters from the AI gatekeepers, I simply change it to Red.

I do the spreadsheet for a couple of reasons. One is simple bookkeeping. If you’ve never had to put in for Unemployment, you need to report names of companies, dates, and etc..

It also helps me keep track of things so I’m not putting in for the same position twice.

Two. it helps me evaluate strategies, rewrites of resumes, and so on.

I get up every morning and the first half of my day is spent looking, applying, and trying.

But the spreadsheet is a little of a downer. As of today, I’ve put in for 148 different positions. Of this, three are blue. Fifteen are red. The rest simply vanished into the unknown.

And I look at it and the neat, color-coded columns start messing with my mind.

I ask stupid questions like:

• Why aren’t they contacting me?
• Am I really just unqualified?
• Am I to damn old?
• Did I annoy God someplace?

And that starts you down another line of thought.

• What happens when unemployment runs out?
• What do I tell my creditors when I can’t pay them?
• What happens if I lose my house?
• What do I tell my wife that I let her down?
• How do I live with this failure?

If you noticed, especially the last few lines in the list, I’m powering up on something. In short, I’m taking the blame for things I have no control over.

So, the first thing I remind myself of is this. This is Earth, and guess what! Crap happens here.

It happens to everyone.

Everyone has something going on. Some share my situation.

But others are in a close approximation to hell. Some are in a war, if not an actual war, then a war for their soul. Others are sick in their bodies. Others are in the worst shape possible and live with out hope.

And experience has taught me that the worst case scenario hasn’t happened yet, and if it does, it’s usually over-rated.

So, I start counting my blessings. I’ve a roof over my head. I’ve food in my stomach. I’ve a wife and puppy dog who loves me. I’m light years ahead of most of the human race.

Then I remember Who I belong to and a promise made that I’m not in this alone:

• “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor  forsake you.” -Dueteronomy 31.6

Then I remember the battle I’m really in. This is a lot more than a physical battle. I’m staring into the face of an enemy that wants me to be afraid. Fear is paralyzing.

• “…that He may grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being.” – Ephesians 3:16

Then there the one promise that seems nailed to me:

• “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10

And it’s okay to complain to God. He does His best work when we admit we’re frightened. Don’t believe me? How could you possibly be comforted as a child while in a lightning storm raged unless you told mom or dad you were afraid.

• “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” -1 Peter 5:7

All this reminds me that I’ve been here before. Every time I’ve felt like my back was against the wall and there was no way out, things happened. I remember that I’ve walked out of situations I had no right to be even carried out of.

And I will again.

All I have to do is keep swinging and God will do the rest.

So, that’s how I put negative thoughts in their place.

The word of God is a Weapon, and I pick it up and wade back into the fight.