Labor Day, Unemployment And Prayer

With Labor Day coming up Monday, taking stock of your career is natural.

For the millions of Americans who are still unemployed as the economic recovery slogs along as indicated by August’s unemployment data released today, prayers for comfort are called for. I, and perhaps you, know people who have been unemployed or found only occasional part-time work for more than year. The frustration is evident.

Those of us who are blessed to be able to do meaningful work and help provide for ourselves and our families are – thankfully – more or less pleased with our situation.

That was the determination of a Gallup poll released earlier this week which showed overwhelming majorities of American workers felt safe at work (78 percent), got along well with colleagues (70 percent) and had enough flexibility in working hours (64 percent).

The lowest level of satisfaction came in the two categories which most people complain about to family and friends – money earned (only 31 percent satisfaction) and job-related stress (26 percent).

While those negative marks may not come as a surprise, an at least temporary solution to those is quiet reflection and prayer. Most people have no trouble indicating stressors in their life, professional or otherwise. And most people, probably even Bill Gates or Warren Buffett, wouldn’t mind having a few more dollars in their pocket. There is, however, serenity in solitude and expressing your wants and needs to God to clarify the difference between the two for yourself and to know you have a caring audience listening.

Have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend.

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  1. said:

    Wonderful article Peter. I am blessed more than I deserve. A home, family, church that is so hungry for the truth and a God that has given me what I don’t deserve (grace) and has withheld from me what I really did deserve, save the cross (mercy). God bless you and your family and all the writers and staff and their families this holiday weekend.

    September 5, 2010
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