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Choosing Gratitude: Your Journey to Joy

Review

Choosing Gratitude: Your Journey to Joy

Nancy Leigh DeMoss is the author of 10 books for women, including the bestsellers LIES WOMEN BELIEVE and CHOOSING FORGIVENESS. She is also the radio host and teacher for "Revive Our Hearts" and "Seeking Him," which are heard weekdays on over 1,000 radio stations. Her books have sold over 2,000,000 copies, and this newest title is sure to be as well received as her earlier works.

Given the nationwide feelings of frustration and discouragement, DeMoss's book on choosing gratitude is a timely one. And yet, she discusses how utterly "timeless" an attitude of gratitude should be in every Christ follower's life. Her style is warm, transparent and completely inviting, as is her invitation to revisit the necessity of cultivating a heart that recognizes and gives thanks for each and every day (as well as whatever fills each and every day).

Christians will value how genuinely DeMoss cares about honoring Christ through the good and bad seasons of life. She tells her own stories of difficulties where she didn't feel inclined to give thanks or be grateful for the hardships God allowed. Very poignantly, she gives readers the step-by-step mental and emotional process she went through to face challenges and how God met her in amazing ways, encouraging her heart to truly give thanks for that which broke her heart.

DeMoss doesn't stop at the "heartbreaking" impasse, however. Rather, she shows how God transformed the hurt into wholeness, the brokenness into blessing, and the comfortless into one who can comfort others. Readers will journey along with the author asking themselves the same questions she has faced over the years on topics both specific and general to "gratitude" and how this approach does impart joy. Chapters include in-depth stories, biblical passages, and commentary on themes tied to recognizing the power of gratitude; how guilt, grace and gratitude mix; why choosing gratitude matters; whining and worshipers; ways to say thanks; learning to give thanks for "all" things; the thanks that requires sacrifice, and going "gratitudinal" for good.

After reading through DeMoss's dynamic (and most convincing) text, readers can then follow up with her 30-day devotional guide included at the back of the book. Each fully fleshed-out daily offering includes a suggested scripture reading, stories and comments by DeMoss, and Gratitude in Action points to put into practice specific principles to cement that "giving thanks in all things" discipline.

Closing out the text is a lovely, heartfelt prayer, "A Grateful Prayer", for readers to recite --- before, during and after they read the book. DeMoss has also compiled a nifty list of Hymns of Gratitude for readers to refer to (and read or sing) in order to inspire their thanks through the written word and song.

All in all, DeMoss has done a marvelous job of covering the bases on gratitude, doing it with her characteristic grace and style. This resource is a keeper (and sure to be a favorite gift-giving book) that will spur Christians toward recognizing all they should be thankful for and to giving thanks with greater zeal and consistency.

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Reviewed by Michele Howe on November 13, 2011

Choosing Gratitude: Your Journey to Joy
by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

  • Publication Date: April 1, 2011
  • Genres: Christian, Christian Living
  • Paperback: 240 pages
  • Publisher: Moody Publishers
  • ISBN-10: 0802432557
  • ISBN-13: 9780802432551