Our Eyes Are On You
Life can feel overwhelming. The unexpected struggles, the heartbreaks, and the moments when there seems to be no way forward can leave anyone feeling lost. Yet, in the face of impossible circumstances, the way through is found in thanksgiving. Gratitude is more than a passive response to favorable conditions—it is an active stance of faith, a deliberate choice to trust in the goodness of God even when nothing makes sense.
There is power in praising through the storm. Even in moments of fear, singing praises and offering thanks can bring unexpected deliverance. This is the power of thanksgiving—it is not just a response to good times, but a defense against despair.
Doxology is always the best line of defense against the dark. When thanksgiving rises from the depths of brokenness, it shifts the focus from what is lost to what remains. Praise is not denial; it is a declaration that darkness does not have the final word. Every time gratitude is lifted up, the grip of fear and despair weakens.
Jehoshaphat’s Strategy: Worship First
In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat faced an overwhelming enemy force. Instead of relying on military strength, he turned to God in prayer, declaring, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.”
Rather than sending soldiers first, worshipers were appointed to go ahead of the army, singing praises to God. And as they worshiped, God fought the battle for them. Victory came not through strategy or strength, but through trust and thanksgiving.
What if thanksgiving became the first response to every challenge? What if, instead of anxiety, the instinct was worship? This account in Scripture reveals that trusting God through worship is not just an act of surrender—it is a weapon that leads to divine intervention.
The Science of Gratitude and Fear
Even modern research confirms what has been known for centuries—thanksgiving transforms the mind. Gratitude reduces stress, lowers anxiety, and strengthens emotional resilience. Neuroscience shows that practicing gratitude activates the parts of the brain associated with positive emotions, diminishing fear and worry. When thanksgiving is practiced daily, fear begins to lose its hold. It is impossible for gratitude and fear to coexist.
In a world that constantly fuels stress and uncertainty, thanksgiving is a lifeline. It is not just about feeling thankful in good moments—it is about choosing gratitude in all circumstances, knowing that God’s faithfulness never changes. The practice of daily thanksgiving is a training of the heart, a discipline that keeps faith anchored in hope.
Giving Thanks Even in the Hard Places
Pain and loss are inevitable in life. Tragedy strikes, and grief can feel unbearable. But biblical Hebrew does not contain a word for “tragedy” as understood in Greek thought, where a story is doomed to end in despair. Instead, every battle ends in God’s glory.
As Habakkuk 3:17 reminds, even when life offers only “bouquets of thorns,” there is still reason to give thanks, trusting that God is working all things together for good. The thorns may wound, but they also press the heart closer to God. In suffering, thanksgiving becomes an act of defiance against despair, a choice to see grace even in the hardest places.
A Challenge to Live Differently
The call is simple but transformative: begin each day by writing down three things to be grateful for. This intentional act rewires the heart and mind to live in the reality of God’s faithfulness. “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.”
Even when the path ahead is uncertain, eyes can remain fixed on the One who leads the way. And in that place of trust, thanksgiving will always be the way through.
Gratitude is not a passive emotion—it is an active force that breaks chains, transforms hearts, and shifts perspectives. A life steeped in thanksgiving is a life that walks in victory, no matter the circumstances. The invitation remains: choose to give thanks, even before the breakthrough, and watch as hope rises in the midst of the storm.
Message recap adapted from February 23, 2025, message by Ann Voskamp
