Consider it joy my brethren when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance, and let endurance have its perfect result so that you’ll be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing

James 1:2-4

Five years ago, I sat down at my computer to write a blog that quickly went viral. Later that day I turned in my computer and handed Microsoft my badge. Microsoft made the decision to lay-off people associated with the Nokia acquisition and I was one of those employees.

I could have chosen to be angry and fearful for my future, many others that were laid off chose this path. Instead, I chose gratitude. My deceased mom gave me the gift of gratitude as she modeled writing a gratitude journal every day, through good and bad.

I chose gratitude. Two days earlier when my manager informed me that I’d been laid off. I was shocked. I quickly came to my senses and looked at her stating “I’ll be fine, I serve a big God. How are you?”

In that blog I thanked Microsoft and said goodbye.

https://www.damonstoddard.com/thank-you-microsoft-and-goodbye/

I had no idea what my future held, but I knew God did and I chose to trust Him, I chose joy in this trial.

A few months later I’d written my book, Pain Drives Change. A book that today is impacting thousands of lives and became the foundation of my coaching system, Change YOUniversity.

And I got to spend significant quality time with my mom writing my book before she died in peace with the nurses Faith and Grace by her side.

A general manager saw my blog and created a role on her team for me to return to Microsoft. I re-entered the doors of Microsoft five short months after being laid off. I returned to an office a block away from my old office with a job that was more aligned to my strengths.

I didn’t know what God was up to, but He did.

Two years later my wife had cancer for the second time.

Microsoft had just implemented a policy allowing family members to take extended paid leave to care for ill family members. I took this time off and spent it with my wife as she recovered.

A short year later I discovered that I had cancer.

Once again, Microsoft took care of me and my medical bills. I used the skills I’d learned as the quality manager for Xbox to help pinpoint the source of my cancer and I used the data to convince my doctors to pursue this cutting edge cancer treatment called Trans Oral Robotic Surgery.

As a result, they found my cancer, and removed it completely.

But my treatment wasn’t over. I needed six weeks of radiation and a few months to recover. Microsoft took care of me through paid medical leave allowing me to heal completely emotionally and physically before my return to work.

Yesterday I learned that I’m still cancer free and the prognosis is very good that it won’t return!

I didn’t know what God was up to when I wrote my second book while I was going through my cancer battle, but He did.

Writing brought me peace and gave me a bigger purpose, praying that my writing would one day inspire others in similar situations. I wrote about that in Chapter 5 on July 15, 2019 a little more than a year ago. Here’s a snippet from that writing.

Today, on my 5-year anniversary of writing that blog “Thank You Microsoft and Goodbye” God revealed part of His bigger plan. My story will be broadly shared and bring hope to countless people.

I believe that everyone going through trials in their lives ask the question “why?”. I certainly do.

Today as I reflect on the past five years I can truly say beyond the shadow of a doubt that choosing joy in our trials allows God to use our trials to not only perfect us, but to bring hope and meaning to others.

Thank you, mom for teaching me how to be grateful in all things through your example. Thank you Jesus that you inspired me to write that blog five years ago, that you have used my pain to change me and given me opportunities to share my story that is offering hope to so many. Thank you, Microsoft for caring for me as a person and creating a culture and offering benefits to ensure that my personal needs and family’s needs are taken care of. And thank you, Jesus in advance for the impact that my books and story will have on people in need of hope.

Damon

P.S. If you’re interested in my book you can get a personalized copy below. For every book sold I’ll donate 100% of the profit ($10) and Microsoft will match that $10 to raise awareness of cancer and offer assistance to those with cancer.