Jehovah Jireh

I recently started a job with a company after spending a long time job hunting. My family had been really supportive during my time of job searching but it was getting to a stage where I really wanted to be able to stand on my own two feet. Even though my family never made me feel as though I was a burden or that I owed them anything, I didn't want to feel indebted to anyone and I wanted to be able to afford a better lifestyle. I wasn't even really after anything lavish in the immediate future. I knew with hard work, eventually I'd be able to afford the lifestyle I wanted to so I was happy to sacrifice things like a car and holidays but I wanted to be able to feel like I could afford basic luxuries (e.g. go out to eat occasionally, buy new clothes if I needed them etc).

By the grace of God, I ended up getting a job at the end of last year which was pretty decently paid. I was happy with the salary and was able to afford my life expenses comfortably and have a decent amount of disposable income.

Then corona hit…

As everyone who is living in 2020 knows, the rapid spread of the coronavirus shook markets across the world, forcing many businesses to make redundancies and cuts because they weren't able to operate at a profit with reduced consumer spending, forced closures due to lockdowns and other lack of demand. The week that I was due to end my probation period, HR ended up approaching me and told me that a decision had been taken by management to cut the salaries of staff in order to help protect jobs. Whilst this was a better result than being made redundant in many ways, they had said that because I was new my salary would be cut by half (i.e. they would only be able to pay me 50%) and that I would no longer be required to work. They would then review my job role after a few weeks. I had been furloughed. This was a blow to be honest but I tried my best not to be disheartened and just to move on. I didn't want to mope and stay in a place of sorrow and rather, started looking for new jobs whilst remaining in this one to see if I might be better off going somewhere else. Most importantly, I also prayed as did members of my family (thank you!) that God would take control of the situation and continue to provide during such a testing season.

The following week, the UK government mentioned that they were introducing assistance for businesses who had to furlough staff. The scheme meant that businesses could apply for extra money from the government to pay their staff so that furloughed employees would be able to receive 80% of their salary! Although this was still a reduction from what I had been paid prior to this unusual time, to go from accepting that I was going to be paid half of my salary to knowing that that salary would be increased to 80% was a massive comfort and encouragement. In addition, as I was not working, I was actually saving money (albeit on a reduced salary) as I didn't have to pay for travel costs or spend as much as I usually would on food so the 80% actually went as far (or dare I even say, further) than my full salary.

The timing was really important too. Had I been made redundant or had the provisions of my contract prior to the end of February, I may not have been eligible for the scheme under the government's terms and conditions.

I'm thankful to God for showing small mercies during this time. I don't write this to boast about my circumstances nor to undermine how difficult many people are finding this time financially, especially as I know that many people have experienced loss during this time. What I do hope is that this testimony provides encouragement during such unusual times. God is still moving even if we don't understand what is happening or why it is happening and He is ultimately our provider. I hope that this is truth is not lost on you in this season and that whatever you may experience, you come to understand that God really is for you in all circumstances. Everything is temporary, even corona and joy does come in the morning! Don't lose hope. Instead, be still and know that He is God and that He will take care of you.