God Doesn't Want Me to Be Unhappy, Does He?

By Billy Graham, Christian Post Guest Columnist Saturday, January 28, 2012

Q: I feel like I'm in a box, because I don't like my job and I don't particularly like the people I have to work with. I want to quit, but my wife says I shouldn't. Will God give me another job if I quit? He doesn't want me to be unhappy, does He? -- W.J.

A: No, God doesn't want you to be unhappy, but this doesn't necessarily mean that you ought to quit your job, or that this would be God's solution to your unhappiness. After all, wouldn't you be even more unhappy if you found yourself unemployed for an extended period of time?

You see, when we find ourselves unsettled or unhappy it doesn't necessarily mean that God wants to change our situation. Sometimes He does, but not always -- and it's important to understand this. Instead of changing our situation, He may want to change us -- to give us the patience and the inner strength we need to stay with it. In other words, escaping from something we don't like isn't always God's will.

I often think of the Apostle Paul in this connection. Several times he found himself thrown into prison because of his refusal to stop preaching the Gospel. I have no doubt that if he'd had a choice, he would have wanted to be free. Instead, he turned to God and found the inner strength he needed to overcome his discouragement. In the midst of prison, he declared, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13).

Open your heart and life to Jesus Christ, and then seek His will about your future. Then make it your goal to be faithful in your responsibilities, and to ask Him every day for His strength and contentment wherever He puts you.

Affectionately known as the "World's Preacher" for more than 60 years, the Rev. Billy Graham is one of the most influential and respected spiritual leaders of the 20th century. He has been a friend and spiritual advisor to ten American presidents and has preached the Gospel to more people in live audiences than anyone else in history - nearly 215 million people in more than 185 countries and territories - through various meetings. Hundreds of millions more have been reached through television, video, film, and webcasts. Send your queries to "My Answer," c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org.