What to do when you get no answer to prayer?

[MormonMama]

I'm struggling with a major decision right now. I'm working part-time outside of the home, and while we really need the extra income, the stress it's been causing is just really creating a lot of problems for our family. We're not sure the amount of extra income the job brings in is worth the stress that it's causing for us, our kids, and other people we have to rely on for things I'm no longer available to do (our kids are constantly getting rides home from school activities or to doctor appointments and such from friends, friends' parents, some of my relatives have had to take time off work or other activities to babysit, etc.; one of my daughter's friends' parents have pretty much been letting her live with them because I'm not available to get her home from an after-school sport and they live close to the school). It's been causing hardship not just for us, but for all the people who are stuck helping us. In addition, because I suffer from sick headaches that have gotten worse over the past few months (no medications have helped relieve them as of yet), I'm probably dangerously close to losing my job. I've missed around 7-8 days since I started this job just four months ago. And I have to admit, I DESPISE this job and feel upset and stressed big time on the days I have to work (I'm sure the fact that I suffer from depression doesn't help that).

I've taken this situation to Heavenly Father in prayer, but just don't feel like I'm getting any answer. I've posed the question as, "I want to quit this job. Should I?" and felt like I got no response. So then I posed the question as, "Okay, then should I stick with the job for now?" and still feel I get no response. This is basically a yes or no question, should I do this thing or not? It's an extremely tough decision, with both positive and negative consequences either way. I could really use Heavenly Father's input on this, but feel like I'm just not getting any. Or it could be that my own emotions on this matter are interfering with any influence I might be getting from the Spirit. How should I handle this?

On the one hand, I feel that this job is creating a negative impact on my family and me, physically and emotionally. On the other hand, we're struggling to pay our bills as it is and are getting some help from the church. It took me almost a year to find a job, so I don't have much hope of just finding a different job anytime soon. I am selling items on Ebay and Amazon, but eventually I'll run out of things to sell. My husband and I have talked about this a lot, and we both feel split on this decision. We need every little bit of money we can get, but we're not sure that the $400 a month is worth what it is doing to our family (I can literally go days without seeing my husband or kids; one of my daughters I usually only see one or two days a week). I WANT to quit this job, but I'm just not sure it's the right decision. Financially it will hurt us, but right now keeping the job is hurting us in other ways.

What would you guys do if it was you?

And does anyone know of any legitimate ways that I could work at home to bring in some extra money? I'm not talking about running my own business, just something I can do in my free time to make extra money. I'm already going to school and raising three kids, and my husband works two jobs as it is, so I don't have a lot of free time.

[pam]

Perhaps the question should be "I've decided to quit this job and this is why...am I making the right decision?"

I think sometimes He is more apt to answer when we have made a decision and need help to discern if our decision is the correct one or not.

[MormonMama]

Well, that's what I've done. I guess I just didn't word it right in my post, but I've told Him that I want to quit my job and why and asked if that decision is right. When I got no answer I asked if I should remain with the job for now and still got no answer.

[Misshalfway]

I think when the Lord doesn't answer we are to use our wise judgment and make the decision we think is best. Perhaps the Lord trust's your wisdom or the outcome would be good either way.

[MormonMama]

I've wondered that myself, if the Lord is trusting me to make the right decision. But I'm not sure I trust me!

[lost87]

I think that sometimes the Lord knows that we already have the answer. I don't know who said it, but someone said that "no other success will make up for failure in the home", or something to that affect.

Originally Posted by MormonMama

the stress it's been causing is just really creating a lot of problems for our family. We're not sure the amount of extra income the job brings in is worth the stress that it's causing for us, our kids. It's been causing hardship not just for us, but for all the people who are stuck helping us.

I don't know who said it, but someone said that "no other success will make up for failure in the home", or something to that affect. Perhaps

Originally Posted by MormonMama

It's an extremely tough decision, with both positive and negative consequences either way.

which are the two sets of consequences are more important though?

Originally Posted by MormonMama

On the one hand, I feel that this job is creating a negative impact on my family and me, physically and emotionally. On the other hand, we're struggling to pay our bills as it is and are getting some help from the church. It took me almost a year to find a job, so I don't have much hope of just finding a different job anytime soon. I am selling items on Ebay and Amazon, but eventually I'll run out of things to sell. My husband and I have talked about this a lot, and we both feel split on this decision. We need every little bit of money we can get, but we're not sure that the $400 a month is worth what it is doing to our family (I can literally go days without seeing my husband or kids; one of my daughters I usually only see one or two days a week). I WANT to quit this job, but I'm just not sure it's the right decision. Financially it will hurt us, but right now keeping the job is hurting us in other ways.

From the way you write and the things you say, I think you already have your decision. Maybe the Lord thinks that you know what the right thing to do for yourself and your family is and is just waiting to see if you'll take the leap of faith it would require. That's how it has worked out for me several times...I pray so hard for an answer to a question I already know and the Lord just waits for me to take the step of faith.

Originally Posted by MormonMama

What would you guys do if it was you?

I would quite the job.

[MorningStar]

It might be that God is telling you, "Looks like you already have your answer when you know it's bad for your family." I watched children for a while and though we needed the money, my husband and both agreed that I should quit because I was too stressed. I couldn't leave the house during the day with our kids and the baby I was watching was dropped off multiple times sick, so we kept getting sick. I didn't pray about it because we just knew it was the right decision to quit.

Speaking of children, have you considered watching a child or two - maybe even just after school? I've watched kids in my own home and at someone else's.

[Just_A_Guy]

2 Chronicles 32:31:

31 ¶ Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him [Hezekiah] to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart. [Emphasis added]

[WmLee]

Lost87 is soooo right! No success can make up for failure in the home.
In Moses 7:32 you find, " The Lord said unto Enoch: Behold these thy brethren; they are the workmanship of mine own hands, and I gave unto them their knowledge, in the day I created them; and in the Garden of Eden, gave I unto man his agency".
Sometimes we forget we know what we need to do and all we need to do is ask for comformation and support to do, what we know is best.
The economy is hard on so many. Perhaps while you have this income you should be looking for an alternative.

[Alana]

When I don't get an answer I will read a lot of old conference talks, to see if there is already an answer to my prayer. Sometimes I'll get an impression while doing that. Maybe you're not getting an answer because you see it so yes/no, when in fact there is a lot more at play here than you realize, such as a new job that's not quiet ready for you yet, an unexpected expense looming on the horizon (please no!) or something like that.

You said you get about $400 a month from your job. It seems most areas pay about $100 a week for child care. Can you watch a little one in your home? I watch two brothers and I take them with me when ever I need to do something (we walk my son to school every day) and my husband and I trade off when I need to do something buy myself. Most states you can watch up to a certain about of kids without a license.

An other idea that I like, how about a family conference? I remember being four years old and my dad and myself and my great grandmother sitting down and deciding if my dad should keep at his job that was more than full time and a long commute and paid well or if he should quit and try something else that might be less stable but allow more of him to be around. It was great to all be on board and support each other.

An other possibility, look a little online. Being a in home helper might be a great idea. You get paid by the county and you can set hours that work for you and the person you're helping, can bring kids, and is anywhere from 10-40 hours a week.

Also, idea is the of talking to your bishop, if quitting is the right thing for you to do, you might need a little help, and it's ok to ask for it... giving him a heads up might give him some time to help find something for you also.