The Grumbler's Guide to Giving Thanks: Reclaiming the Gifts of a Lost Spiritual Discipline
Trade Grumbling for Gratitude—Experience God like Never Before
The apostle Paul instructed the Philippians to be anxious in nothing and thankful in everything. And when he said everything—he meant everything. We can all agree that this is easier said than done. Disappointments and discontent may cause you to slip into dissatisfaction, and grumbling becomes a state of mind—gratitude seems impossible to find. However, what if this is the precise reason you lack the joy of a God-filled life? Instead of a reaction to when things are going well, what if gratitude is actually necessary to knowing the hope of our gracious God?
This is exactly what Pastor Dustin Crowe identifies in The Grumbler’s Guide to Giving Thanks. Dustin examines the biblical foundations of thankfulness and traces how it can reshape every-day Christian living. When we express gratitude in all things, we not only praise our Creator, we also get to know Him better. With The Grumbler’s Guide, you’ll learn how to practice thanksgiving in both simple and extraordinary ways, even when you’re tempted to dwell on the negative. You’ll find your outlook on life realigned to see the hand of God in everything, strengthening your trust in Him. And in doing so, you’ll find greater, more joy-filled reasons to continue expressing thanks to our good and generous God.
From the Back Cover
Trade grumbling for gratitude and experience the joy of the Lord.
In The Grumbler’s Guide to Giving Thanks, you’ll discover how gratitude is pivotal to experiencing the beauty, goodness, and hope of God. Pastor Dustin Crowe identifies the biblical foundations of thankfulness and traces how it can reshape everyday Christian living. You’ll learn how to practically apply the discipline of thanksgiving in both simple and extraordinary ways, even when the surrounding circumstances tempt you to dwell on the negative.
Find your outlook on life realigned so that you can see the hand of God in everything, and in doing so, find great and joyful reasons to continue expressing thanks to our good and gracious God.
Top Highlights
“To fight our inclination toward grumbling, we need gratitude. While we talk to God a lot about what we want, we also must give thanks to God for who He is and what He’s done. We not only say ‘please’ in our prayers but we also say ‘thank You.’” (source)
“Through biblical thanksgiving, the church has one to offer. The message isn’t an over-the-top optimism. It’s not about wearing a grin 24/7, having the brightest and whitest smile, or being positive Peggy (or Pete). Biblical gratitude is gritty gratitude. It’s honest about brokenness and affirms difficulties and disagreements all around, and yet, it sees reasons to give thanks in all things. It doesn’t sweep the junk of life under the carpet of ignorance, but it does find more reasons to be grateful than to grumble.” (source)
“‘It’s one thing to be grateful. It’s another to give thanks. Gratitude is what you feel. Thanksgiving is what you do.’2 If we’re thankful to someone, we thank them. We say thanks in various ways (spoken, sung, written, through an offering, lived out), but it needs to be communicated.” (source)
“There’s a gap between doing something sporadically and it being such a steady part of your life it characterizes you. But many things that start small evolve into a significant part of who we are.” (source)
“I’d like to move from being thankful for stuff to also (and especially) being thankful to God. The object of our gratitude needs to expand from something to someone.” (source)
“I thought I was a pretty grateful guy. Then I took the Gratitude Quiz at the beginning of this book. Ouch! Turns out I have some growing to do in this area—and The Grumbler’s Guide to Giving Thanks was the perfect resource to help me grow. With vulnerability, biblical depth, and engaging prose, Dustin taught me how to recognize my blessings and equipped me with practices for giving thanks. This book has the power to literally change your life. It will lift your eyes above your daily annoyances and frustrations and back to the One from whom all blessings flow. I highly recommend it!”
Drew Dyck
Editor and author of Your Future Self Will Thank You: Secrets to Self-Control from the Bible and Brain Science
“I needed this book. Too often I see the gaps, and I miss God’s daily grace. Dustin Crowe provides a practical and biblical guide for develop the habit of gratitude. So thankful!”
Mark Vroegop
Lead Pastor of College Park Church, Indianapolis and author of Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament
“I don’t know too many books on thanksgiving, but I’m grateful to have this one! Dustin takes us to the deep well of God’s grace to expand our hearts and affections so that we can obey God’s command to “give thanks in everything.” If you’re struggling to be thankful, start here. You’ll be encouraged and helped in the formation of a life of thanksgiving.”
Jeremy Writebol
Lead Campus Pastor, Woodside Bible Church, Plymouth MI; Executive Director | Gospel-Centered Discipleship
Product Details
- Title : The Grumbler's Guide to Giving Thanks: Reclaiming the Gifts of a Lost Spiritual Discipline
- Author: Crowe, Dustin
- Publisher: Moody Publishers
- Publication Date: 2020
- ISBN: 9780802498779