Should You Go Into Trucking?

Some of you have written me over the past few months wondering if you should get into trucking. Many of you have been layed off and unemployed for a number of months and are feeling in a kind of limbo and even desperate. I know the feeling. Although I can't tell you whether or not you should be a truck driver, I can offer some general principles about how God sometimes directs us into a direction He wants us to go. Please read the following prayerfully and may God lead you into an understanding of what He wants you to do. 

Here are three verses to start with:
 

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, -Ecclesiastes 9:10

"To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:       These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. -Rev. 3:7,8

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. -James 1:5

Start by asking God for wisdom to make the right decision. Then pray that He will open the door He wants you to go through and close the ones He doesn't want you to go through. Then launch out in faith. It is true that sometimes God wants you to wait until He directs into a certain path. But there is also the problem of "paralysis by analysis". That means some people never do anything because they are always over-analyzing the options. God directs those who are moving in a some direction and corrects you if you are off course.

Here are some other pointers:

If you are planning on hiring on with a certain company, talk to some of their drivers first.  Ask them about the pros and cons of running for that particular company.  Are they getting the miles they were promised? Are they getting paid on time?  Is there a lot of layover time between loads?  Companies will make unrealistic promises many times.  It's best to get the scoop from drivers who have been employed for some time with those particular companies and also from the new drivers .

If you plan on getting your training from a truck driving school, research the school thoroughly, especially in regard to the cost. Truck driving schools cannot guarantee you a job unless it is part of an established trucking firm.  They will also make extravagant promises on how much you can make as a trucker.

If you will have to pay back a loan for the training, make sure you can handle the added financial burden in addition to paying your current financial obligations.  I have heard from several new drivers lately, who have taken out a loan to attend truck driving schools and hired on with major companies only to find out they can't get the needed miles to meet their financial needs. This includes not only paying back their school loans, but also making enough money to support their families.

Consider how trucking will affect your family. Being gone from home for extended periods of time can create stress and hardship on family relationships.  Make sure your family is behind you 100 % in this decision. Also make sure they understand the sacrifices they will have to make regarding your being on the road for weeks at a time.

The decision to become a truck driver is not one you make out of desperation for a job. It is a long term commitment like any other career. This is especially true of the financial aspect of it in terms of the training necessary. Like any other career decision, finding God's will and seeking His wisdom in the matter is of utmost importance.

God could have led the Israelites on a more direct route from Egypt to the Promised Land, but He had reasons to led them in a round about way. If He opens up trucking to you, it may be because He wants you to learn something before He shows you the main job for your life. Then again trucking may be the main job. I have learned a lot about faith by being in trucking. It can be a hard lifestyle, but you can learn some things in it regarding your Christian walk which you can learn in no other occupation. If He doesn't want you in it, He will close the door at the proper time.

May God direct you into the course He has for you to travel.

Dave

Related article: How Much Can You Make As a Truck Driver?