Posted in Faith, Life, Work For The Lord

Why do those in positions of power often act unfairly and deceitfully? How can individuals navigate such challenging situations?

She lost her job last year after the company she was working for was sold. Since then, she has been taking on temporary jobs that don’t quite align with her skills and interests. She wonders why her prayers seem to go unanswered when it comes to finding a more suitable opportunity for herself.

He recently relocated for a job that paid well and utilized his skills, only to discover that the company wasn’t as reputable as he had hoped. Despite being promised a role that involved both driving and wrenching, the reality fell short of expectations. Misled by false assurances, he went from feeling content to deeply discouraged.

Having moved and started working remotely, she lost her job just 3 weeks after beginning in a new state. Now, after four months of unemployment, she finds herself on the brink of losing everything she has worked so hard for.

He was excelling as a nurse, on track for a promotion, until a new supervisor who held personal biases against him came into the picture. Despite his qualifications, the supervisor favored her friends for raises and promotions, leading to a toxic work environment that ultimately forced him to resign. This experience left him homeless and turning to alcohol as a coping mechanism.

Why do those in positions of power often act unfairly and deceitfully? How can individuals navigate such challenging situations?

As Americans celebrate Labor Day today, let us take a moment to honor the hardworking individuals who have contributed to making our nation a better place. Across the globe, similar annual observances recognize the value of labor.

The Bible speaks of the virtuous woman setting about her work vigorously (Proverbs 31:17). Labor Day serves as a reminder of the dignity and significance of work in God’s eyes. Our ability to work is a gift from God, and regardless of our occupation, we are called to fulfill our responsibilities faithfully and excellently. Reflecting on Jesus’ life as a carpenter, we are reminded of the importance of craftsmanship and dedication in our work.

While hoping for new opportunities in the future, I urge you to remain steadfast in prayer and diligent in your search. Gratitude for your current job, even amidst uncertainty, is essential. In a world where unemployment remains prevalent, acknowledging the blessings of steady employment is vital. Cultivate a spirit of thankfulness, as encouraged by Ephesians 5:20.

Remember, God’s love for you is unwavering, and His plans are always for your good. Strive to live for Christ and prioritize His will in all aspects of your life, including your work. Colossians 3:23 exhorts us to dedicate ourselves to our tasks wholeheartedly, as if working for the Lord rather than for human approval.

Posted in Blessed, Blogging

Finding Thankfulness in Trials


Exploring Psalms 119:65-72
While Thanksgiving often revolves around expressing gratitude for God’s blessings, have you ever considered thanking Him for challenges that may not immediately appear as blessings? A truly thankful heart is most precious to God when, from a human perspective, our circumstances don’t seem conducive to gratitude. By embracing four foundational decisions, we can begin to recognize the value in our adversities and respond with appreciation.

  1. Embrace faith and trust in the Lord: Understanding life from a scriptural perspective enables us to comprehend His purposes in our trials and trust His wisdom in allowing them.
  2. Acknowledge the situation as from God’s hand: Whether directly sent or permissively allowed, recognizing that every difficulty comes from His loving hand allows us to genuinely express gratitude.
  3. Submit to God in the circumstance: Even if we dislike the situation, acknowledging that God “is good and does good” (v. 68) empowers us to confidently place our lives under His authority.
  4. Draw strength from Him to endure: Enduring hardships with gratitude is beyond human capability. By relying on the Lord, believers can navigate adversity with an appreciative heart.

Now, reconsider the circumstance you wish to change and, with a renewed mindset, offer this prayer to God: “Lord, I accept this situation as coming from You. In faith and trust, I place myself under Your loving authority and draw from You the strength I need to endure with gratitude.”

Posted in Blogging, Faith, Grateful, joyful-echoes

Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday: Embracing Gratitude and Counting Our Blessings

Hello, my dear readers! It brings me so much joy to connect with you today and express my deep gratitude for your presence here. Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and allowing me to share my thoughts and experiences with you. I hope this post fills your day with positivity and inspiration!

Today, as I sit down to write, I am overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude. There are so many things in my life that I am deeply thankful for, and I wanted to take this opportunity to share them with you. Firstly, I am immensely grateful for my family. Their love, support, and laughter fill my days with warmth and joy. They are my pillars of strength and my greatest source of happiness.

In addition to my family, I am also filled with excitement because we are about to embark on a new adventure – a move to a different city. This change comes with both excitement and challenges, but I am grateful for the opportunity to explore new places, meet new people, and create new memories. It’s a fresh start, and I can’t wait to embrace all the possibilities it holds.

But above all, I am thankful for you, my dear readers. Your presence here means the world to me. Whether you have been following my journey for a while or are just discovering my blog, know that I appreciate every single one of you. Your support, encouragement, and engagement inspire me to keep sharing my thoughts and experiences.

As we navigate through life, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and forget to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. That’s why I want to remind you, dear reader, to take just five minutes out of your day to read your Bible or any spiritual text that resonates with you. Allow the wisdom and guidance within these sacred words to fill your heart and remind you of the blessings that surround you.

Moreover, let’s not forget to pause and appreciate the beauty around us. Take a moment to breathe in the fresh air, notice the vibrant colors of nature, and revel in the little joys that often go unnoticed. By cultivating a spirit of gratitude and awareness, we open ourselves up to receive even more blessings and abundance.

So, my dear reader, on this Thankful Thursday, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to you. Thank you for being a part of my journey, for your support, and for spreading positivity and kindness wherever you go. May your day be filled with happiness, blessings, and an abundance of gratitude.

With love and appreciation,

Deb

Posted in Uncategorized

Are We Really Thankful & Grateful ?

We often complain about our problems and difficulties, forgetting how much we have to be thankful for. We may think we are grateful, but our words and actions show otherwise. How can we cultivate a spirit of thankfulness in our lives? The Bible gives us many examples and commands to be thankful in all circumstances, even when we face trials and hardships. God is good and faithful, and He deserves our praise and gratitude for everything He has done for us..

One way to be thankful is to go to the Bible fast and start thanking God for His promises and blessings. The Bible is full of verses that remind us of God’s love, grace, mercy, and power. We can read them aloud, meditate on them, memorize them, and pray them back to God. Here are some examples:

  • “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (1 Chronicles 16:34)
  • “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8)
  • “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)
  • “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
  • “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6)

Another way to be thankful is to look around us and notice all the good things that God has given us. We can thank Him for our family, friends, health, food, shelter, clothing, nature, talents, opportunities, and more. We can also thank Him for the challenges and struggles that help us grow and depend on Him more. We can express our gratitude to God in prayer, song, journaling, or sharing with others.

Being thankful is not only a duty but also a delight. It fills our hearts with joy and peace, and it honors God who is the source of all good things. Let us be thankful in everything, in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Look at the 2 pictures which one would you rather be around

Angry and Complaining or Happy and Thankful

Life is full of ups and downs, and it’s easy to get caught up in the negative aspects of our experiences. However, it’s important to remember that we don’t need a perfect life to live a thankful life. In fact, cultivating a sense of gratitude can help us find joy and appreciation even in difficult circumstances.

One way to practice gratitude is to focus on the blessings in our lives, no matter how small they may seem. Maybe we have a supportive family or friends who lift us up when we’re feeling down. Perhaps we have a job that allows us to provide for ourselves and our loved ones. Even the simple things, like a warm cup of coffee in the morning or a beautiful sunset, can bring us a sense of gratitude.

Another way to cultivate gratitude is to shift our perspective and look for the lessons in our hardships. While it may be difficult to find positive aspects in challenging situations, focusing on what we can learn from them can help us grow and become more resilient.

Ultimately, living a thankful life is about intentionally choosing to focus on the good in our lives, even when things are tough. By practicing gratitude, we can find meaning and purpose in every situation and live a more joyful and fulfilling life.