This is the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and those hardly folks in Biloxi, MS. are hosting the Tears to Cheers Festival. It’s a week-long celebration to remember their losses, showcase their triumphs, and look to the future. It sounds a lot like what goes on with job seekers every day: promoting your accomplishments to hiring managers and hoping they will catapult you into a brighter future.

Less than 7 days after the hurricane, I was volunteering as the only chaplain at Biloxi Regional Medical Center. The resilient, spirited folks I met stayed in my heart partly because I came away with some powerful life lessons. They taught me what it means to have the courage to believe. This phrase became a touchstone in my life, especially while I was unemployed.

So, in tribute to the people who call Biloxi home as well as all the Katrina survivors along the Gulf Coast, here’s the story from my book about finding the courage to believe.  

The Courage To Believe

From my own experience and conversations I have had with other job seekers, one trait we all seem to share is courage. It takes tremendous courage to face the reality of job loss, to stay positive in the face of overwhelming odds, and to be honest with yourself, family, and friends. The phrase “have the courage to believe” is a touchstone in my life. I’ll share the story of why these words are so special to me, in the hope that you will be inspired to continue in your job search with renewed hope and faith.

Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, I served as a chaplain at a hospital in Biloxi, Mississippi. With little warning, people lost their homes, possessions, vehicles, livelihoods, places of worship, and entire communities. They were left to mourn the deaths of family, friends, and beloved pets. Their sense of security and way of life was cruelly washed away under the cover of darkness.

Biloxi Lighthouse after Hurricane Katrina

Some had nothing but the clothes they wore and a plastic bag holding what remained of their personal possessions. As I listened to their stories, one
common theme was clear. They were thankful to be alive; and despite all of the loss, they continued to look forward to a new day. Their faith, hope, and
can-do attitude touched my heart.

I had several in-depth conversations with a man named Leopold. Reflecting on his losses, he said, “I have no idea who I am today; and I don’t know how
to figure out who I will become tomorrow.”

We talked about finding the courage to keep the faith and continue to believe. We stumbled upon the phrase “have the courage to believe.” It summed up the inner fortitude needed even to imagine rebuilding one’s life and community. Those words profoundly influenced me, and became the guiding force in my life.

Courage comes from the French word Coeur, which means heart. It takes a big heart and bold faith to believe in invisible possibilities when there is nothing solid to hold on to. The Sufi philosopher, Rumi, said it best: “Where there is ruin, there is hope for treasure.”

Having the courage to believe became more meaningful to me during my unemployment. When I hit my worst, felt sorry for myself, or wondered how to fix my unraveling life, I remembered the inner strength of those hurricane survivors. Life as they knew it was washed away, and still, they had the courage to believe life would be good again.

Unemployment continues to sweep across the United States and the world. Like a natural disaster, it can leave a wide path of destruction in its wake, affecting lives and communities. Some people survive job loss and grow into their best lives; some learn a powerful life lesson, some struggle, yet manage to keep it together; some barely hang on, and for some, life is now tragic beyond words.

I pray these words and this story will shine light into your current darkness and give you hope. May you be filled with the courage to believe. Take these words into your heart and know that when everything around you is changing or appears lost, a new day is coming. Be open, and believe in endless possibilities.

I Let My Best Self Shine Through when I live my life with courage and conviction. I have the courage to believe I can overcome any obstacles in my life. I am inspired by the way folks on the Gulf Coast continue to have hope and faith as they rebuild their lives.