For many people the holiday season is their favorite time of the year. But for the 9 million Americans who are currently unemployed, this can be an especially difficult time. The feeling of hopelessness and despair that e with looking for work often increase with the approach of Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Lauren L. Moy was recently unemployed during Thanksgiving and recallsthefeelings of awkwardness when meeting with friends and relatives over the holidays. Moyoffers mendations for how to deal with unemployment at this time of year and why Christians have reason for hope:

How to beat the job search blues? Don’t do it alone. Get support. Develop job search skills by joining a job search group. Get a career coach. Get a job search buddy. Ask a few friends if they would be willing to pray for you regularly. Enhance your skills. Join a professional association. Network. Volunteer. Apply to jobs online. Get an internship. Take classes. e a consultant. Stay focused and persevere. As Dale Carnegie once said, “Most of the important things in the world have been plished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.”

However, the ultimate way to beat the job search blues is to remember that as Christians we have our identity grounded in our relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. We are unconditionally loved by the God of the universe. His love for us is not dependent on our performance or employment status. Our security and significance are in Christ, not in our occupation. I am secure in His love (Romans 8:35-39); I am His workmanship (Ephesians 2:10); I plete in Christ (Colossians 2:10).

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