Christ in the crisis
Discover the courage it takes to trust God completely when the times get tough. Eric Woo shares his story of God’s grace and provision in a time of crisis.
In November 2009, Eric Woo received a warning letter from his company. Meet your November sales target or your employment will be terminated, the letter stated. The 32-year-old sales consultant was starting to feel the heat – his job was riding on one major deal, which looked likely to fall through. Yet, despite the hopelessness of his situation, Eric put his faith in God and trusted that God would provide.
“This huge deal could make or break my month,” Eric says. “I thank God for giving me the wisdom to putting together a compelling proposal and, coupled with favour from God, I managed to close the deal and hit my November target.”
His job was safe for now, but the global economic downturn saw Eric ride a rollercoaster of highs and lows. In September 2009, Eric and his wife of 6 years, Pauline, purchased their first home. They were excited to start a new chapter in their life. But just one month later, Pauline had lost her job and the couple were struggling to pay of their newly acquired mortgage, among all their other bills. Eric also faced mounting pressure at work. He was barely reaching his sales targets as his industry suffered major blows due to the financial crisis.
“At times, I would lose sleep, and become overly worried, anxious and concerned about my circumstance,” Eric says. “It is always a challenge to maintain peace – you find it for a while and then you lose it again.”
In the midst of these problems, Eric was also struggling with a moral dilemma in the workplace. He feared that if he did not make certain dishonest decisions, he would lose his job.
“I am tempted often to do it especially when I get closer to month end and I am still far from my target,” Eric says.
It was a constant battle for Eric between trusting God to provide, and disobeying God by acting wrongfully in the workplace. But he continued to seek God for peace and assurance and, he says, “I became more peaceful and more positive.” He also looked to the Scriptures to find strength and hope and often found himself turning to Romans 8:28 (NKJV), “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Leaders and mentors at Hope Church provided Eric with the support and advice he needed. “They encouraged me by sharing their personal challenges and how God came through for them,” Eric says, “they would constantly encourage me with God’s Word and also supported me through prayers.”
In January 2010, Pauline started a new job, however, Eric was still struggling at his workplace. After much prayer, Eric took a step of faith and resigned from his job in March.
“I felt fearful, doubtful and uncertain during and after I resigned,” Eric says. “But having gone through so much with God, my faith was stronger and I believed that God would provide for me.” He began applying for new jobs and going for interviews but no offers were made.
Then, on his last day at work, Eric received a phone call from a company he had interviewed with – he got the job!
“I was ecstatic and relieved,” Eric says.
“I have personally experienced God’s miracle and blessing in my life and I am learning to trust him more and more for my provisions.”
“This huge deal could make or break my month,” Eric says. “I thank God for giving me the wisdom to putting together a compelling proposal and, coupled with favour from God, I managed to close the deal and hit my November target.”
His job was safe for now, but the global economic downturn saw Eric ride a rollercoaster of highs and lows. In September 2009, Eric and his wife of 6 years, Pauline, purchased their first home. They were excited to start a new chapter in their life. But just one month later, Pauline had lost her job and the couple were struggling to pay of their newly acquired mortgage, among all their other bills. Eric also faced mounting pressure at work. He was barely reaching his sales targets as his industry suffered major blows due to the financial crisis.
“At times, I would lose sleep, and become overly worried, anxious and concerned about my circumstance,” Eric says. “It is always a challenge to maintain peace – you find it for a while and then you lose it again.”
In the midst of these problems, Eric was also struggling with a moral dilemma in the workplace. He feared that if he did not make certain dishonest decisions, he would lose his job.
“I am tempted often to do it especially when I get closer to month end and I am still far from my target,” Eric says.
It was a constant battle for Eric between trusting God to provide, and disobeying God by acting wrongfully in the workplace. But he continued to seek God for peace and assurance and, he says, “I became more peaceful and more positive.” He also looked to the Scriptures to find strength and hope and often found himself turning to Romans 8:28 (NKJV), “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Leaders and mentors at Hope Church provided Eric with the support and advice he needed. “They encouraged me by sharing their personal challenges and how God came through for them,” Eric says, “they would constantly encourage me with God’s Word and also supported me through prayers.”
In January 2010, Pauline started a new job, however, Eric was still struggling at his workplace. After much prayer, Eric took a step of faith and resigned from his job in March.
“I felt fearful, doubtful and uncertain during and after I resigned,” Eric says. “But having gone through so much with God, my faith was stronger and I believed that God would provide for me.” He began applying for new jobs and going for interviews but no offers were made.
Then, on his last day at work, Eric received a phone call from a company he had interviewed with – he got the job!
“I was ecstatic and relieved,” Eric says.
“I have personally experienced God’s miracle and blessing in my life and I am learning to trust him more and more for my provisions.”
