I am not a religious person nor a Jewish person. I need someone like you someone who can guide me. I worked faithfully until about 3 years ago and then due to economical down turn situation I was let go of my work.
I haven’t finished my education; I haven’t even finished high school. I have really no one. I don’t know what lies ahead for me. Do you know or can you guide me, what lies ahead? I want you to pray for me, please that whatever lies ahead for me, ends with my salvation.
Thank you!
Samuel
Dear Samuel,
It sounds like you don’t see much hope for the future. While we are certainly in favor of prayer, we think action is called for in this case. The economic situation is bleak, which means that passively waiting for a job probably won’t work. You need to adjust your mindset to being in charge of your own life.
We don’t mean to sound harsh, but if you have been out of work for three years, you should have your high school equivalency by now. Get started on that today! Walk into a public library or community center and get information on classes. Every morning tell yourself that your time is valuable. The day mustn’t stretch out empty before you. Make a schedule and stick to it.
Part of the day should be for studying and improving your English. Spend time each day looking for an opportunity to learn a skill. Offer your services for free to someone in exchange for learning from them.
Do some volunteer work every week. Instead of saying, “I have no one,” work on meeting people and making connections. Turn off the TV and do things. Run errands for an elderly neighbor, serve meals at a soup kitchen or find another place to be a giver. You don’t have to be religious to join a church; many of their doors will be open to you.
If you meet failure, frustration or are treated badly, don’t let it sidetrack you. Step over each hurdle and move to the next challenge.
Most importantly, while knowing that God is in ultimate control, recognize that you are in charge of your destiny. You are your most valuable asset and you need to act on that belief.
Samuel, enlarge your vision. Picture yourself five years from now as a productive, successful man and each day take steps towards that goal. Perhaps reaching out to us was the first of many steps.
Get moving,
Rabbi Daniel and Susan Lapin
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Memorial Day Sale (LAST DAY):
America’s Real War
To you, our Happy Warriors, who recognize the spiritual battle at the root of many interpersonal conflicts within America, we encourage you to pick up Rabbi Daniel Lapin’s award-winning book, America’s Real War, which is on sale through Memorial Day. Rabbi Lapin wrote this book in 1991, to explain why he was fighting to preserve America’s Christian heritage. He is still fighting today.
