One Thousand Gifts Study Guide: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are

In everything, give thanks.

How do those four word strike you? As naïve? Infuriating? Impossible? Offensive?

For Ann Voskamp, the notion of being able to give thanks was lost between her gnawing anger and deep resentment toward God for his unfair dealings in her life and the lives of others. Having suffered from agoraphobia and anxiety for much of her life, she despaired of finding a joy of her own.

Then, a friend dared her to write a list of a thousand blessings. Over the months that followed, she made some profound discoveries

How it's possible to give thanks even for the things that might crush you

How t hanksgiving always precedes the miracle

How to slow down and life fully in the moment

How things that feel like trouble might actually be gifts of grace

How to break the bondage of fear by embracing everyday blessings

How trust is the bridge over tumultuous waters that leads to joy

How to turn your blessing into being a blessing to others

In this study, Ann encourages us to take on the life-changing discipline of journaling God's gifts— to discover a way of seeing that opens our eyes to ordinary amazing grace, a way of living that is fully alive, and a way of becoming present to God that brings deep and lasting joy. It’s only in this expression of gratitude for the life we already have, that we discover the life we've always wanted…a life we can take, give thanks for, and use to serve others. In it, we come to feel and know the impossible right down to our core: We are wildly loved by God.

Sessions include

Attitude of Gratitude

Grace in the Moment

All Is Grace

Trust: The Bridge to Joy

Empty to Fill

Designed for use with the One Thousand Gifts Video Study (9780310684398), sold separately.