But what happens when things don’t work according to our carefully-planned blueprint? 

Psychologist Uche Ukuku who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from University of Georgia, and a PhD in Counseling/Psychology from University of Oklahoma, shares her story about valuable lessons learned during an unemployment phase in her life. 

Her story teaches us that sometimes, God makes us take detours on our journey so we may become stronger, wiser, and more equipped to handle the bigger blessings coming our way.

Read and be inspired!

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Today will be my first day at work after 5 and a half months of unemployment. I like sharing unfinished testimonies because they tend to be my most authentic ones.

When I finished my fellowship back in September I never imagined I would be out of work. Since the 6th grade, I’ve had my life planned out, go to college, get my doctorate, get licensed, work.

Up until September, everything was going as planned, no breaks, straight through. But then September came and for the first time in my life I had no plans. I was thrust into a waiting period for my psychologist license that took 5 months longer than I wanted and an emotional toll that I never expected. I interviewed for a couple of jobs. Jobs I knew God was not calling me to, but because I had a “vision” of how my career life was “supposed” to be. I didn’t get two of them and was offered one, but turned it down because I knew God said nah. But it was only October so I felt like it’s okay you got time.

Then October turned into November which turned into December. I kept hearing myself say okay God I think I’ve learned what you wanted me to learn, now you can make things shake. But still I heard nothing. I remember saying in December, there’s no way if they tell me I’ll have to wait to til the board meeting in February to get licensed that I will make it. Nope, God I will give up. Then January 3rd came. I contacted the licensing board on January 3rd and after they told me I would have to wait for the board meeting on February 12th, I broke down. I mean, hyperventilating, uncontrollable tears, unable to speak break down. I immediately sent out an SOS to my family and close friends saying I was defeated and in need of prayers. Because I’ve been blessed with such wonderful people they did just that (and my best friend ordered me cookies all the way from Atlanta). And almost immediately I felt covered in peace.

One of my friends told me that I was on her heart that morning and felt that there was something I hadn’t done yet in this waiting period that I needed to accomplish. I started wondering what could it possibly be I feel like I’ve learned patience (or so I thought), I’m in church… But then I finally realized that during this time I was relying on my own strength and it was tiring me out.

Daily I was pushing a ton of bricks not knowing that if I gave it to God the bricks would disappear.

Once I stopped operating on my own strength, I began operating within peace. People’s questions didn’t bother me and people began to comment how “at ease” I was not knowing had they talked to me a month prior I was a mess. But God. Over and over all I can say is But God. Looking back there were so many things I was able to accomplish because I was unemployed. I was able to be there for births and weddings, to babysit, share my faith while driving Lyft, become committed to my churches community, begin new relationships and strengthen old ones, help plan weddings, host people needing a place to stay. And there have been so many lessons I have learned in this time:

1. Pain and joy can co-exist
2. Never be ashamed to utilize the systems you’ve paid into
3. Well intentioned advice is not always good advice
4. Don’t come to God with more faith than you actually have—be honest
5. When you’ve spent majority of your adult life helping others with their self growth at the cost of your own, it doesn’t help anyone
6. But God, in my brokenness has made me whole

I’m not worrying about where I want to be when I now know where I need to be.