At a time when the job market was tight, I was unemployed, and had been for some time. Not only did I feel discouraged, but I was also jealous whenever I heard that someone else had been able to find work.

One day, as I reached out to God in prayer, the story of Jacob came to thought. The Bible tells us that when Jacob was alone and troubled, he wrestled with an angel and refused to let the angel go until it blessed him (see Genesis 32:24–30). 

I realized I had a choice to make: Was I going to let a limited, material view of the employment situation bring me down with discouragement, jealousy, and self-pity, or was I going to take a spiritual view and trust that God meets every need abundantly? I decided to side with God and not let go of His angel messages until I felt confident of the divine presence and God’s loving care for me.