Wednesday, August 13, 2014

A Breath of Fresh Air, Giving Thanks {Book Review - One Thousand Gifts}


I get stuck in ruts very easy. The old familiar record can play in my mind again and again, "This is never going to work out. Will we always suffer from financial issues? Will I ever be healed from cancer?"  Focusing on the negative has gotten me no where, except greater stress and worry, which accomplishes nothing except to wear my soul down further with even greater burdens.

Image result for 1000 Gifts
Recently I read "One Thousand Gifts", by Ann Voskamp. This is a book that will help you look at life, for what it really is. It's a breath of fresh air, that will breath new life into your weary soul. It will encourage you to slow down time, and capture each moment for the simple beauty that it holds. The way this happens is by purposely taking our minds off the negative things in our life and capturing the blessings instead.

The blessings can come in the form of the fresh morning air, the fragrant smell of a rose, and the sun shinning against the brilliant blue sky. They're every where if we just take the time to look.

Our minds can only think of one thing at a time. When we stop and intentionally choose to look at blessings instead of hardships, our demeanor changes, we become more aware of our surroundings and the things we have to be thankful for.

The word that Ann focuses on in her book is eucharisteo. It is a Biblical Greek word which means to give thanks. I am ready to move forward and change my life by giving thanks to the Lord for all the blessings he has given me. These blessings can easily be taken for granted when we get weighed down with the chores of life.

Friends, are you ready to change your life? Are you ready to move forward with the word, "Eucharisteo'', resounding form your heart. You will notice your relationships with God drawing closer, as well as the relationships with your family and friends. I want to challenge you to start a blessing journal if you do not already have one. Just watch the difference it will make....watch how the Father will create a great and wonderful work in your life.

"give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18











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2 comments:

  1. Beautiful reminder. We need to be intentional about pausing to see His blessings all around us.

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  2. I read One Thousand Gifts around 3 years ago and it has totally changed my outlook on life so much, since then. Yes, I have my "days" where I will look at the negative, but it seems I am reminded much more quickly how much I have to be thankful for! Thanks for sharing and hosting Word-filled Wednesday!!
    Blessings, Ann @ Christ in the Clouds
    http://christintheclouds.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete

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