He got the news on a Friday morning. He was notified via email that he was not selected for the position he had been really hoping to get. This was the fifth job he had applied for at this location in two years. He thought he was well-qualified for all of these jobs, but he was interviewed for only two. He was more than a little disappointed with the outcome. It was back to square one.

He was really hoping for a “yes” this time. He was unsure if God was saying, “Not this time; maybe later,” or perhaps it was just not meant to be. Along with Job, by faith, all he could say was, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Jb. 1:21 NASB).

This person I just described was me. (Click here for part one of a two-part article I wrote about this chapter.)

One of the challenges we face when God says, “no” is that it shakes our confidence in our ability to discern God’s will. I felt led to pursue these positions for a number of good reasons. I felt God’s peace throughout the process. Circumstances seemed to be lining up. My wife and I were sure that God was going to open up a door, but it was slammed in my face. What happened?

There may be some who are looking for work (or a new job) and need a biblical perspective on how to deal with a long and disappointing job search. Perhaps it’s time to share my experiences and some scriptures that apply to these situations and offer a bit of hope and encouragement.

What Did I Do Right?

What were some of the things I did right, even though I did not see the results I had hoped for?

• I knew that God was present with me in the entire process
• I listened to my wife and also to the desires of my heart
• I did my homework and gave the job search process my best efforts
• I prepared detailed answers for anticipated interview questions
• I prayed before, during, and after the interview
• I took steps of faith because I fully trusted in God

Let me expand a little on some of these points.

It’s pretty much a “no-brainer” to listen to your spouse as you are seeking a job. The decision you make will affect him or her greatly. I’ve written about listening to the desires of our hearts before, but it bears repeating. We know that our hearts and emotions can be deceptive. However, as Christians, we should also know that when we are born again, we get a renewed heart. We are new creatures in Christ. We may not need to follow our hearts, but it would be a mistake to not listen to them.

Additionally, every action that I took to research job openings, tweak my resume, apply online, pray over it, put my best foot forward during the interview, etc., was a true step of faith. You can’t expect to get a job without doing all these things. As a Christian, if you are trusting God to help you find a new job or a better job to support your family or achieve your goals, every move you make towards that end is a step of faith. God honors those who trust fully in him.

Here were a few steps of faith we took. My wife and I worked on projects to get our own house ready for sale. We checked out housing areas near the post we wished to relocate to. We prayed over and walked around the organization’s building – not to “name it and claim it,” but to imitate the faith of Joshua who marched around Jericho, trusting God for victory. The attitude we took was what James tells us to focus on: “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that” (Jam. 4:15).

What Truths Do You Need to Rest On?

God is still on the throne. He is in control of the details of our lives. This did not take him by surprise. He provided every job we ever held. He will always provide what his children need, but in his time. He will open and close doors. He will give wisdom and courage to make the right decision.

God is still faithful. Just because it is not God’s will now, does not mean it is not his will in the future. The story of the persistent widow comes to mind (see Lk. 18:1-8). Jesus commends persistent prayer. Just because we get a “no” from God does not mean that we should stop pursuing our dreams.

God may have more work for you to do where you are. There are many advantages to working in the same job a long time. As time has passed, I have seen God confirm that it was much better for me, my family, and my organization for me to stay right where I am than for me to move.

What is the Way Ahead?

If you are in the midst of a job search journey yourself, here are some practical suggestions:

• Keep on seeking God (Matt. 6:33); His peace that surpasses all understanding will guard your heart and will guide you in your job search
• Be humble and willing to apply for anything; take any job offered if it meets your needs
• Don’t quit; apply for jobs until you get one; cast a wide net; think outside the box
• Whether you get the job you want or not, know that God has great plans for you

I trust that these biblical and practical truths that I’ve shared were helpful to you, regardless of where you live, how old you are, or what career field you are in. Seeking a new job or career is always going to be a spiritual journey for the Christian. It will be a faith-building season from start to finish. God is present in every phase of it because he made you for a purpose.

Editor’s note: This article has been republished from the author’s blog with permission.