"How's Work?"

BY JON HODGIN | JULY 27, 2026

If you’ve been following The Fellow Warrior for a while, you know we talk a lot about brotherhood, vulnerability, and refusing to fight life’s battles in isolation.

It’s easy to write about those principles when the sun is shining and the path ahead is clear. But a few months ago, those principles stopped being just ideas on a screen. They became my lifeline.

After almost 20 years with the same company, I was let go.

Twenty years. Nearly two decades of showing up, pouring in, and building a life around a routine and a title. When a season that long comes to an abrupt end, it hits you like a physical blow. The ground beneath your feet feels completely uncertain.

Normally, I know exactly how I would have handled it. Those who know me best could tell you my default setting: clam up, pull back, put my head down, and just deal with it myself. It’s the classic male instinct to retreat into the cave, put on a brave face, and pretend we have it all under control while panic churns inside.

This time, I chose a different path. I decided to actually practice what we preach here.

Refusing to Fight Alone

Instead of hiding in shame or retreating into isolation, I leaned straight into my community.

I got honest. I opened up to the guys closest to me about the crazy, mixed emotions I was wrestling with. I didn't pretend to be stronger than I was. I journaled, I actively pursued new opportunities, and, most importantly, I simply stayed connected.

I shared the fears, the frustration, and the uncertainty with my fellow warriors and with colleagues in my field.

Was it comfortable? Not at all. It goes against everything our culture tells men to do when hit with a setback. But something incredible happened when I brought that burden into the light: I found a peace I had never experienced before.

It wasn't a "fun" season by any stretch of the imagination. But carrying that weight alongside trusted brothers stripped away the panic. I knew I wasn't standing alone in the mud.

The Power of the Pack

God never intended for men to walk through valleys by themselves. We were built for community, and over the course of those weeks, that community showed up in practical, life-changing ways:

• The Skill Share: I hadn't written or updated a resume in over two decades. A fellow warrior from my church stepped up and helped me craft a fresh resume from scratch, giving me the confidence I needed to put myself out there again.

• The Wise Counsel: As I wrestled with what my next step should be, another connection became a massive source of encouragement, helping me talk through options and keep my eyes fixed on God’s bigger plan.

• The Open Door: Ultimately, it was a professional connection I had nurtured over the last few years that opened the door to my next chapter.

Because I chose to reach out rather than pull back, I am grateful to share that I’ve landed a new position with a great company.

A Challenge to My Brothers

Looking back, the difference between sinking into despair and walking with peace wasn't my own strength. It was the strength of the men God placed around me.

If you are standing in a valley right now. Whether it’s job loss, financial pressure, marriage struggles, or just a heavy heart please hear me on this: Do not retreat.

The enemy loves an isolated warrior because an isolated warrior is an easy target.

Drop the mask. Call a brother. Share the raw, honest truth about where you’re at. Let your community lift your hands when you're too tired to hold them up yourself. It might just be the very thing God uses to carry you into your next victory.

How has leaning on your brotherhood helped you through a tough season? Drop a comment below or reach out to a fellow warrior or contact me.