The Power of Being Thankful
365 Devotions for Discovering the Strength of Gratitude
Joyce Meyer

Hachette Audio
10/7/2014/ ISBN 9781478982937
Inspirational / Christian / Devotional / Audiobook – CD – Unabridged

Reviewed by Brenda Weeaks

Joyce Meyer’s newest devotional The Power of Being Thankful was published just before Thanksgiving 2014. As in her past Inspirational devotionals, The Power of Being Thankful is a yearly devotional. In listening to the audio version and reading the hardcover edition for the past few months, I have discovered how I view everyday life. It’s been interesting to say the least. When situations are difficult we tend to voice our feelings (I’m so scared that... I feel it will… I can’t believe you did that…). Meyer’s January 1 devotional addresses this and includes a challenge. Meyer recommends we examine our life, pay attention to our thoughts and words and see how much thanksgiving we actually give. Her challenge is to get through an entire day without uttering one word of complaint. Negative can be as simple as “Blasted weather” to “She’s so manipulative.” It’s an interesting challenge. Meyers goes on to remind us in the rest of book how important being positive is to our spiritual well-being, and being the exceptional teacher she is, Meyers motivates us with plenty of how-to and follows it up with scripture.

The Power of Being Thankful doesn’t replace bible study but each devotional is a spirit-lifting mini lesson. I can read a devotional and carry it with me all day. Anyone can pick up this devotional and be a better person by the end of the year, I guarantee.

I enjoy listening to Joyce Meyer’s books when I’m walking, driving, or working around the house. Her insight to God’s word fills me with hope and her personal stories sometimes has me laughing and often turning to my husband and saying, “see it’s not just me!” Joyce Meyer makes me feel okay about myself. Her common sense guidance is truly unique in that she has lived it. How I wish I had this guidance as a young person.

I have purchased some of Meyer’s older devotionals online and enjoyed them as well. In comparing them to The Power of Being Thankful, I have found them all to be effective self-help tools full of positive reinforcement, but The Power of Being Thankful is a one of a kind inspirational guidance on how to be thankful (out loud), and that’s something we all need. Christian or not.

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