Trying to have faith in God's plan, whatever the heck it is

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

ArtsieSteph

Senior Member
Apr 1, 2014
6,194
1,319
113
33
Arizona
#1
I've been having some job troubles the past few months. Mostly because I haven't been able to even apply for a "normal" job of sorts because of my dad's current cancer diagnosis and my becoming his main caregiver during the week while my mom works.

I'm an artist by trade, a classically trained painter. I can't help but think that that was maybe a bad idea to not take any graphic design courses, which is what most freelance or work at home people do nowadays, but I digress.

I wanted, long ago in high school, to not try any freelance things because I wanted to instead focus my attentions at trying to land a "real job" but do my art stuff on the side. Now with my current circumstance, I can't actually have a real set schedule because my father could need something at any time during the day. I need something where I can work on it, put it aside, keep working on it, ect ect. Irony of ironies.

I keep looking online for freelance opportunities, but with such a huge pool of others that are not only better and/or have cheaper rates than I do it can be very difficult. Even trying to do little commissions on like tumblr and twitter hasn't turned anything up yet. I'm doing my own little slice of life comic and a few youtube videos every so often so that helps, but it's.....it takes a long time.... And a big thing, I don't want to be "famous," I just want to earn a living.

My first reaction is to be cynical: "I could have done _________ and I was stupid and didn't do that now I'm paying for it wow I'm a failure" and so forth. But I know the attitude to have is gratitude to help my mother take care of my father. Gratitude that I can live at their house and eat their food. Also amazing gratitude that my tax refund came in so that I could make a trip to see Blain, as well as have 50 in my pocket.

God has done so many great things.... I just don't know how He wants me to survive. I know in Him I can. I just have no idea.
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
41,243
16,252
113
69
Tennessee
#2
Not only does God want you to thrive he wants you to thrive. You are in a hard spot right now as you are the caregiver to your dad while your mom works.

Working online at home is a good way to supplement your income but somehow you must find a way to turn your fine art degree into a huge advantage in the job market and put it to work for you in some capacity. God will help you in this.

Whatever happens don't be discouraged as you are young and just starting out. As you are starting to find out, it's a jungle out there but I pray that God puts you in touch with the right people that can jump start your career and get you heading down the right path. You're not stupid and you're certainly not a failure.

The game is just getting started, soon it will be time for you to shake the dice and let 'em roll. It will be your move then.
 

ArtsieSteph

Senior Member
Apr 1, 2014
6,194
1,319
113
33
Arizona
#3
Thank you tourist. The hardest thing istrying not to believe the lie that the world puts out there that your life is pretty much on the downslope once you reach 30
 
Feb 22, 2017
74
7
8
#4
What a beautiful heart you have friend. I was blessed reading your story and of course wish I had an easy answer for you. Life is full of predicaments where there seems to be no way out, right? I have been in enough myself to know the reality of what that feels like. I read quotes all over the internet that make reference to coming to the end of ourselves and letting God take over, and I think many Christians really, truly, do try to do that. We don't like feeling out of control or feeling like our limitations will destroy any hope we have. Working with what we have becomes a challenge when we have our eyes set on our dreams and aspirations. It has happened to me, so I know that to be true.

I can only tell you what I did when I was faced with disappointment and those horrible feelings of failure. It took a long time for me to work through this, but now I am looking back and feel thankful for all the people who were praying for me and trusted God when I could not.

I remember the day when I saw the importance of focusing on God and not my circumstances. I knew my life depended on doing that or I would be right back on that slippery slope taking me down again. My thinking completely shifted from despair to hope when I realized I have no control over other people or over circumstances, but I do have control over the decisions I make to spend time alone with God. When I discovered what happens in the secret places of my heart when I am with God, I began to crave more and more of that time. I saw my life fast-forward to the day when I would leave this earth and see Him face to face. What will I be carrying with me at that moment? My faith, my trust, and a picture of what I did with what he gave me. Not included in that picture were all my crafts, my writing projects, my house, my time, my goals, my dreams, and anything else of this world. What I took with me were the results of what God had asked me to do and that was to store up my treasures in heaven. You have painted a beautiful picture of doing exactly that. You are using your resources to invest in the life of one person that means the most to you. You are storing up your treasures in heaven. Souls matter to God, and our trust in Him matters more than anything.

As far as your artwork, recognize that God gave you this talent to be used for Hs glory. I completely undestand that we all need to make a living, and yet you might have the option of pursuing other forms of employment to generate some income that does not include your artwork. I don't say that to discourage you but rather to encourage you. Reality being what it is, you may have to branch out and consider some other options.

There are several people I know who have started an in-home business online. One friend did a travel service, and another friend did a Disney package deal - kind of a vacation package.

Perhaps you can market your artwork online, or offer your services on another scale - like creating online greeting cards or getting connected to some galleries. I worked at a restaurant where one young artist was given some wall space there and she sold many of her pieces.

The best way I can encourage you is to remain hopeful that God knows how to supply all our needs. You have a need for money. You have a need to be creative. You have a need to find fulfillment with your life. You are already giving freely to your father. What an enormous blessing that is to him.

Have you been able to connect to a prayer group at your church? Staying connected with others who love the Lord and who are trusting Him too can bring you strength and support.

I promise I will write down your situation on my prayer list and bring it before the throne of God, who has promised to hear us and love us in the midst of our greatest uncertainty.
 

Monnieloves

Junior Member
Dec 6, 2016
15
0
0
#5
I'm sorry to hear about your dad's health. Don't be so hard on yourself. I applaud you for putting family first. GOD wants to prosper you more than you want it for yourself. Psalm 35:27...Let the Lord be magnified who takes pleasure of the prosperity of his servant. Don't give up trying to for online freelance work. I have learned this over the years about GOD's favor, 'It may look like others are better than you, their rates are cheaper etc., but GOD will give you favor over the most qualified. Why? Because he's that good and loving to his children. I will pray that doors will open for you in ways you never imagined.
 

JesusLives

Senior Member
Oct 11, 2013
14,551
2,171
113
#6
Thank you tourist. The hardest thing istrying not to believe the lie that the world puts out there that your life is pretty much on the downslope once you reach 30
If that's the case... tourist & I are doomed since we must be on the FAST slide since we are both past 60.....Greased lightening on the fast slide of the downslope.......lol
 

ArtsieSteph

Senior Member
Apr 1, 2014
6,194
1,319
113
33
Arizona
#7
Thank you so much for your kind words loving lady! I've been looking for freelance jobs for the most part, and the best job I can do for them in a freelance capacity is art. I have been putting out feelers for voice over acting as well, which I honestly have always wanted to do.