'The Bible never allows us to close our eyes to those who are suffering' - How the Church can help to the unemployed

'Often a man who is unemployed feels not only economic stress but a sense of confusion about who he even is.'

Unemployment often leads to feelings of depression, shame and low confidence - so how can the Church help?

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Russell Moore, the president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, explained: "Often a man who is unemployed feels not only economic stress but but a sense of confusion about who he even is."

On his website, Moore notes the "quiet catastrophe" reported by The Wall Street Journal concerning the 7 million 25-54-year-old unemployed men in the United States.

Writing from the male perspective, Moore describes and acknowledges the challenges that come with unemployment, including an identity crisis.

The Church is fast to help the poor, the ill, the helpless and the hopeless - but how often does it see the subgroup of hope and helpless unemployed?

Moore believes the first thing religious organizations can do is acknowledge unemployment.

"Sometimes pastors and teachers and leaders underestimate the signals sent in our illustrations and applications," Moore wrote. "When we apply the Christian vision to the workplace, or give illustrations about how to live out the Christian life in our work, we are often careful to speak of a range of vocations - from the most modest service job to the most exalted profession.

"We often don't speak of those who are unemployed, or whose employment is insecure. Take this into account, and speak directly to those who have lost their jobs, or who fear they may very soon. This doesn't "solve" the problem, but it communicates that this is a burden for the whole Body to bear together."

Dealing with identity is the second step.

Generation after generation of men have been told it is their responsibility to care for their families and work hard to support the unit - but what happens to a man who continually tries but fails to secure a long-term or even short-term position?

Suddenly, men begin to question their worth. With no work and no sense of achievement, some men lower their standards and seek ways to deal with what they perceive to be personal failures - and not all of their ideas will lead them to the Lord.

Best-selling author Gordon Dalbey agrees.

In an interview with The Christian Post, Dalbey stated: "The curse of the Fall is gender specific; the woman will have pain in childbirth and the man will have to labor the Earth, i.e., get his identity from his work and not from his true Father."

In his book "Sons of the Father," Dalbey wrote: [U]nemployment will force a man into either an alternative addiction - drinking, porn, etc. - or into the arms of the true Father of all men. You don't know that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have, as the saying goes. Jesus came to overcome the curse of the Fall, and will do that in any man's heart who lets Him."

Dalbey explained the difference between making a living and making a life: "Sometimes unemployment is a pivotal time for unexpected growth. A person may realize that he has gifts or callings he never knew he had, or never felt the freedom to explore. Our message to those facing unemployment is that the lack of a job need not mean idleness."

The Church can help unemployed men realize their identities in Christ and can help reveal their true callings.

"The Bible never allows us to close our eyes to those who are suffering economically," Dalbey stated. "In some cases, that means direct help...the solution is more in terms of putting people with resources that are not necessarily monetary."

So if you or a brother in Christ is struggling with unemployment or looming unemployment, remind him there is hope and there is God.

Change will always come but remember God comes with it - so cling to hope and faith. Take your time to learn who you are in God's eyes and rise to the calling He placed in your heart.

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