I recently spoke with a friend. We tried to make sense of the heartache and disappointment that life often brings, and specifically the challenges now on her shoulders. I sat down to write her something comforting, but as the words poured out, I realized they weren’t just for her – they were for all of us.

Because at our core, aren’t we all the same wandering souls? Our outer appearances may differ, but deep down we’re cut from the same cloth. None of us truly understands the workings of this universe. We simply endure, bearing the ups and downs as best we can.

So to her and to you, on the subject of  career challenges, I have this to say: hope sustains.

There was a time when I thought I had achieved my heart’s greatest desire. A long time ago, I pursued what I believed was my dream job – a prestigious, high-paying position that seemed to have everything I wanted in a career. Out of pool of a few hundred, the choice was narrowed to two. The interview went incredibly well, and I left feeling more proud of myself than ever before. But after a month of anxious waiting, the director called to say he hired the other guy. As devastating as that rejection was, I could never have predicted how much harder life was about to become. 

I struggled under the weight of that disappointment and the reality of trying to make a life in a dying world. I couldn’t see a way to move forward. My way out was shut.  Publishing got harder. The margins got tighter. The people became fewer. And the nights became nearly impossible to find sleep. Years were shaved off my life. Of this, there can be no doubt.

A friend said “just quit if you’re that miserable.” Ah yes, the advice given so many times by so many who deal not in reality. The world isn’t a Disney movie and “just quitting” without a plan only leads to wrath and ruin. So I didn’t quit. I couldn’t. Life had to go on. Through it all, I endured. I found a way. I provided. I didn’t give up. I never lost hope.

Life has an uncanny ability to surprise us. The path I had so desperately wanted to walk eventually fell into ruin – the entire division was eliminated after the company was sold. If I had gotten that job, I likely would have faced  an even murkier future. It’s a story as old as trickle-down economics and outsourcing and market forces.

It wasn’t until 2013 that I finally found a new path that allowed me to make the  impact I always knew I could. I became a teacher, with the privilege of shaping countless young minds. Every day, I get to inspire, challenge, and help students discover their inner worth. Witnessing their growth and success has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. In the classroom, I uncovered a sense of purpose and fulfillment greater than I ever imagined.

What I’m trying to say is that things ultimately work out, even if the timeline and path are different than we expected. I handled that setback poorly at first, but looking back, it set me up for something better. When you’re in the midst of disappointment, it’s impossible to see beyond the immediate pain. But have faith – even the most challenging experiences can lead you to something better than you dared to imagine.

 So to my friend, and to anyone who needs to hear this – life is truly just a series of crises, one after the next. We’re either going through a crisis, just coming out of one, or about to enter a new one. It’s those precious moments in between where we can catch our breath, heal from the bruises, and regroup for whatever lies ahead.

 Prayer, friends, hope – allow these to sustain you when those fierce winds blow. The path forward may be shrouded in darkness, but we must carry on, one brave step after the next, until calmer skies eventually emerge.

Oh and one more thing, never “just quit.” Anyone who tells you that isn’t worth your time or attention. Life isn’t a Disney movie. God helps those … well you know the rest.

(Josh Beavers is a teacher and writer. He was named as a semifinalist for Louisiana Teacher of the Year in 2020. He has been recognized five times for excellence in opinion writing by the Louisiana Press Association.)