Should I Get a Job?

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12

Should I Get a Job If I’m Going Through a Divorce? YES. Here’s Why.

As a divorce attorney, I’m often asked this question—especially by clients who are concerned about spousal support or child support:

“Should I get a job now, or will that hurt my chances of getting support?”

Here’s my honest answer: Yes. You should absolutely get a job.

Not because it helps your legal case (though sometimes it actually does), but because it helps you.

1. Work Builds Confidence

Divorce can shake your identity. You may feel like you’ve lost your role, your stability, or your sense of self. But work—whether part-time, full-time, or even volunteer—is one of the most powerful ways to begin reclaiming your identity.

There is dignity in work. It reminds you of what you bring to the table. It gives structure to your day and allows you to rediscover your strengths and talents.

2. Work Builds Independence

Yes, the court may award you temporary spousal support. But relying on someone who’s divorcing you for your financial survival is not a long-term solution—it’s a temporary stopgap.

Taking steps toward financial independence, even if small, can be freeing. Whether you’re reentering the workforce after years at home or starting a new career altogether, every bit of progress helps you rebuild a stable life on your own two feet.

3. Work Is Biblical

There’s a common misconception that support from a former spouse is somehow preferable to self-sufficiency. But God’s Word gives us a different picture.

There is honor in providing for yourself and your family. Scripture affirms the importance of work—not just for provision, but as a way to live honorably and win the respect of others.

Bottom Line:

If you’re wondering whether you should get a job during your divorce, the answer is yes. Not because a judge said so. Not because your lawyer said so. But because God made you capable. And you can rebuild a meaningful, confident, and independent life—not through fear, but through faith.