It can be hard to be thankful when it seems like there are so many challenging things going on in the world today. Perhaps you were negatively impacted by COVID-19 either in your health or your bank account. Maybe you are missing a loved one this holiday season, or you are frustrated with your family, or simply exhausted by the holiday bustle. The Bible doesn't tell us that we have to be thankful FOR difficult circumstances, just amid them. But how do we do this?

David knew that when it feels like God is far from us, the best remedy is remembering who God is and how He has worked on our behalf before. What are your mental photographs of God’s faithfulness? What are your memory stones? Do you have verses underlined in your bible, have you written down answered prayers, do you have a tattoo or a special trinket on a bookshelf to help you remember a way that God has provided for you?

Our words can build up or break down. This week I’m going to focus on the words that come out of my mouth. Instead of anything ugly or hateful, I’m going to wrap up my words as a beautiful gift and deliver grace to the person that receives them. What about you? What kind of words will come out of your mouth today?

Every step of the iWork4Him Nation Covenant is important, but today I want to talk to you about step three. Step three is the perfect tenet to execute during the summertime. Step three puts our money where our mouth is. It puts our faith into action outside of the office. Step three goes like this: “Look for ways to befriend your coworkers, employees, and bosses outside of work where you can develop a real relationship.” Step three is the place where you get to share your life, and in sharing your life, you are sharing God the giver of life.

It’s an exciting week here at iWork4Him! On April 15th of 2021, iWork4Him celebrates 8 years as a media ministry focused on the intersection of faith and work. We have interviewed over 3000 people on over 1800 shows resulting in thousands of hours of video/audio available to a nation of workplace believers hungry for encouragement and resources to help them live out their faith at work. But it might not have happened if Martha and I weren’t obedient to the call of God on our lives…Read on.

There is no shortage of things to complain about in 2020. It would be easy to create a list of ways to complain at work, but who needs help doing that? What if we could develop habits during Thanksgiving that we could practice year-round? Now that would be an accomplishment! So, as we go about our work – no matter if we work alone, lead a group of 4 or 5, or a team of 100, here are a few steps we can take to increase gratefulness around us every day.

It always amazes me how two people can experience the same situation and see things so differently. Take, for instance, the recent weather we had in Florida. I was grateful for the rain to fill our pond, but I know others were upset because the storm interfered with their outdoor plans. That same storm can improve business for the screen repair company and grocery stores while hurting business for the landscaper or outdoor sporting event.

We have a choice to make about our perspective for 2020. We can wish it away so we can start 2021, OR we can use the opportunity for change to take us from who we are to who God can use more effectively.

When you left your home for work today, if you left at all, did you do so with excitement and exhilaration or with dread and depression? Do you ever ask - what's the point of work? Many see work as a necessary evil used to get what we want. Is it the same in God's eyes?

Who do you have in your life that walked alongside you on the Narrow Path? Have you thanked them? Have you gone back and reminded them of the significance they have in your life? It honors them and honors God for putting them in your life. Take time this week to thank those who have been used by God to shape you into who you are today. They have been used by God to get you to where you are today.

Labor – do we celebrate it? Do you celebrate it? No, not the giving birth kind of labor but the everyday work kind of labor. Do you celebrate the labor of your hands and mind? Do you recognize God’s hand in giving you labor as a gift? When you head off to work each day…or down the hall to your virtual office, are you celebrating or complaining?