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A Thankful Heart in a World of Hurt
It is hard to be grateful when you are looking into the jaws of mind-bending pain. Chronic illness, a heart attack, a terrible car accident, caring for a developmentally disabled child, facing betrayal and loneliness. These tough times make you want to give up and throw in the towel. You try to overcome, but the exhaustion destroys your energy and hope. You try to pray, but the pain interrupts your concentration. You want to give up.The topics of fear and hopelessness, depression and suffering, loneliness and worry are issues that author, Joni Eareckson Tada, can speak to personally: A diving accident in 1967, when she was 17, left her a quadriplegic. She has lived 45 years in a wheelchair and she has experienced her share of ups and downs. But, she says, oh, the difference the grace of God has made in my life. Let Joni tell you her secrets to peace and joy.
18 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 22, 2008
20 people are currently reading
280 people want to read
About the author
Joni Eareckson Tada
323 books549 followersJoni Eareckson Tada is an American evangelical Christian author, radio host, artist, and founder of Joni and Friends, an organization "accelerating Christian ministry in the disability community".
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
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August 27, 2025Another wonderful little pamphlet by Tada on the importance of thankfulness during hard times.
January 6, 2015
"In order to foster true gratitude in our hearts, we must fight to stay satisfied with God."
September 14, 2014
Count your Blessings even when you don't feel like it.
Join is an inspiration having continuing forward in spite of a diving accident that left her wheelchair bound since 1967. Jesus is #1 in life and it comes through loud and clear in this book. It very hearing Joni's suggestions but also confirming them with God's Word. This is a quick read worth every minute.
Join is an inspiration having continuing forward in spite of a diving accident that left her wheelchair bound since 1967. Jesus is #1 in life and it comes through loud and clear in this book. It very hearing Joni's suggestions but also confirming them with God's Word. This is a quick read worth every minute.
February 2, 2023
Comforting
As I grieve the death of my beautiful son I found this book a reminder that no matter what we are suffering with He is always with us. These is always something to be grateful for. Always!
As I grieve the death of my beautiful son I found this book a reminder that no matter what we are suffering with He is always with us. These is always something to be grateful for. Always!
July 7, 2022
Was awesome!
January 31, 2017
Joni Eareckson Tada has spent decades living in a world of hurt most of us never experience and likely dread - a quadriplegic since age 17. While we may give her more credence to speak to thankfulness in the midst of deep hurt, her message is that God has the same plan and expectation for all of us.
It is God’s design (since the fall) that life will be hard. Some respond with resignation, inward focus, or bitterness. All this does is “separate God from the suffering He allows in their lives. They forfeit the very grace God wants to shower on them!”
Instead, “we are called to cultivate a grateful spirit that gives thanks under any and all circumstances.” Colossians 3:15-17 is clear - let the peace of God rule in our hearts; be thankful; have gratitude; give thanks to God the Father through Jesus., 1 Chronicles 16:34 likewise commands, “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever.”
How do we have a thankful heart in a world of hurt, especially our own personal hurts?
Recognize that all suffering is designed and used by God for His perfect purposes in our lives. Make God the focus in suffering, accepting His gift of grace to endure and leaning on Him. Balance the “equation” of contentment by equalizing our desires to fit our circumstances; subtracting our wants gets us closer to contentment.
Give thanks to God, especially in the midst of suffering - a sacrifice of gratitude. Recognize the truth that Jesus’ power is made perfect in our weaknesses. We can experience the comfort of Christ as we suffer because He suffered for us, so that we would never be alone in our hurt and sorrow.
In summary, Joni reminds us to say “yes” to pursuing God...fight to stay satisfied with God...glut ourselves on the promises of Christ. “Choose gratitude...because it is the only fitting response to a good and gracious god who has delivered us from our guilt...Cultivating a thankful heart is a safeguard against becoming bitter, prickly, and sour.” - Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Selected Excerpts
• We often don’t thank God for the problem - just finding him in it. But decades in a wheelchair have taught me not to segregate my Savior from the suffering He allows.
• We shall see that we have not suffered one pang too much, or been required to perform one duty too severe...all our afflictions as well as our mercies were designed for our good, and were needful for us.
• Why then should we not bless God in the furnace as well as in the palace? God knows what is best for us; and the way in which he leads us, mysterious though it seems to be now, will yet be seen to have been full of goodness and mercy. - Albert Barnes, 19th-century theologian
• Contentment (Philippians 4:11-12) is an internal quietness of heart (supernaturally given) that makes God the focus, rather than hardships...Paul’s secret of contentment was simply learning to lean on the Lord of grace for hep (2 Corinthians 12:9)...Paul’s contentment opened the way for gratitude to blossom.
• Paul was able to rejoice that his tough circumstances forced him to rely on God, rather than his own strength. And it was the reality of god’s grace in his life that produced true gratitude.
When it comes to gratitude, God must be or aim. Our battle involves more than saying “no” to bitterness or resignation; it means saying “yes” to pursuing God.
• In order to foster true gratitude in our hearts, we must fight to stay satisfied with God. We must spend more hours studying Him...we must glut ourselves on the promises of Christ. “In God’s presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16:11) When you are suffering affliction, how much time do you spend thinking of God?
• God wants us to have a thankful heart in a world of hurt...He has already assured us that whatever the hardship, there is an equal and compensating amount of gracee ready and available for the taking.
It is God’s design (since the fall) that life will be hard. Some respond with resignation, inward focus, or bitterness. All this does is “separate God from the suffering He allows in their lives. They forfeit the very grace God wants to shower on them!”
Instead, “we are called to cultivate a grateful spirit that gives thanks under any and all circumstances.” Colossians 3:15-17 is clear - let the peace of God rule in our hearts; be thankful; have gratitude; give thanks to God the Father through Jesus., 1 Chronicles 16:34 likewise commands, “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever.”
How do we have a thankful heart in a world of hurt, especially our own personal hurts?
Recognize that all suffering is designed and used by God for His perfect purposes in our lives. Make God the focus in suffering, accepting His gift of grace to endure and leaning on Him. Balance the “equation” of contentment by equalizing our desires to fit our circumstances; subtracting our wants gets us closer to contentment.
Give thanks to God, especially in the midst of suffering - a sacrifice of gratitude. Recognize the truth that Jesus’ power is made perfect in our weaknesses. We can experience the comfort of Christ as we suffer because He suffered for us, so that we would never be alone in our hurt and sorrow.
In summary, Joni reminds us to say “yes” to pursuing God...fight to stay satisfied with God...glut ourselves on the promises of Christ. “Choose gratitude...because it is the only fitting response to a good and gracious god who has delivered us from our guilt...Cultivating a thankful heart is a safeguard against becoming bitter, prickly, and sour.” - Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Selected Excerpts
• We often don’t thank God for the problem - just finding him in it. But decades in a wheelchair have taught me not to segregate my Savior from the suffering He allows.
• We shall see that we have not suffered one pang too much, or been required to perform one duty too severe...all our afflictions as well as our mercies were designed for our good, and were needful for us.
• Why then should we not bless God in the furnace as well as in the palace? God knows what is best for us; and the way in which he leads us, mysterious though it seems to be now, will yet be seen to have been full of goodness and mercy. - Albert Barnes, 19th-century theologian
• Contentment (Philippians 4:11-12) is an internal quietness of heart (supernaturally given) that makes God the focus, rather than hardships...Paul’s secret of contentment was simply learning to lean on the Lord of grace for hep (2 Corinthians 12:9)...Paul’s contentment opened the way for gratitude to blossom.
• Paul was able to rejoice that his tough circumstances forced him to rely on God, rather than his own strength. And it was the reality of god’s grace in his life that produced true gratitude.
When it comes to gratitude, God must be or aim. Our battle involves more than saying “no” to bitterness or resignation; it means saying “yes” to pursuing God.
• In order to foster true gratitude in our hearts, we must fight to stay satisfied with God. We must spend more hours studying Him...we must glut ourselves on the promises of Christ. “In God’s presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16:11) When you are suffering affliction, how much time do you spend thinking of God?
• God wants us to have a thankful heart in a world of hurt...He has already assured us that whatever the hardship, there is an equal and compensating amount of gracee ready and available for the taking.
May 10, 2015
Super challanged
I have been aware of Joni most of my 41 years as a Christian. Over and over again her testimony has blessed me and encouraged me when I face my daily little struggles. I read this at the perfect time. Thanks once again Joni.
I have been aware of Joni most of my 41 years as a Christian. Over and over again her testimony has blessed me and encouraged me when I face my daily little struggles. I read this at the perfect time. Thanks once again Joni.
September 6, 2014
Christians
Very short book. Enjoyed it read it very quickly.Was different than the books I usually read.I say give it a try...
Very short book. Enjoyed it read it very quickly.Was different than the books I usually read.I say give it a try...
September 6, 2014
Wonderful, quick read
Joni gives many profound yet understandable truths about being grateful to God even when facing difficult times! A quick read too!
Joni gives many profound yet understandable truths about being grateful to God even when facing difficult times! A quick read too!
January 19, 2015
Enjoyed reading is book and seeing a perspective from someone who has been through huge things and still cones out praising God.
June 8, 2016
This pamphlet is a perfect length to read when one needs encouragement in "a world of hurt." This is deep wisdom instead of just vapid, fluffy words to make you feel good.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews