Thanksgiving usually paints a picture of abundance, with tables filled with turkey, pie, and families smiling. But if we’re honest, sometimes the holidays are more complicated than that. Family tensions bubble up. Old wounds resurface. Someone chooses to bring up past hurts, and suddenly that warm gratitude turns into a cold knot in your stomach.
So, what do you do when Thanksgiving feels less like gratitude around the table and more like a battlefield? How do you practice defiant gratitude, when life hurts and nothing makes sense?
Believe it or not, the Old Testament gives us a surprising answer. In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat of Judah faces a battle he can’t possibly win. And tucked into his story is a powerful lesson about giving thanks, not after the victory comes, but before it.
A Battle on the Horizon
Jehoshaphat receives word that a vast army is marching toward him. If we were in his shoes, our first instinct might be panic. Fight or flight. But Jehoshaphat does something remarkable:
“Jehoshaphat was afraid, and he resolved to seek the Lord. He proclaimed a fast for all Judah, and they gathered to seek help from the Lord.” (2 Chron. 20:3-4)
That prayer could easily be ours this Thanksgiving: “Lord, I don’t know what to do. I feel powerless in this situation. But my eyes are on You.” That verse could be a Thanksgiving prayer for many of us needing help: “Lord, I don’t know what to do. I feel powerless in this situation. But my eyes are on You.” (2 Chron. 20:12)
That’s what defiant gratitude sounds like, choosing worship in the face of uncertainty and staying thankful even when life hurts. Believe me, I completely understand what it means to feel this way. To read more about some of my physical struggles, click here.
A Word from the Lord
As Judah prayed, the Spirit of the Lord came upon a man named Jahaziel. God’s message was clear and simple:
“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” — 2 Chronicles 20:15
What a relief! They didn’t have to fight to earn victory. They only had to trust, obey, and watch the Lord work. That same call echoes in our lives today. Whether we’re walking into strained family gatherings, facing health battles, navigating financial pressure, or carrying hidden grief, God whispers: don’t fear. Stand still. Watch Me work.
Singing into the Storm
The next morning, Jehoshaphat and the people rose early to march out, but they didn’t start with a war cry. They started with a worship song! Jehoshaphat appointed singers to lead the army, and their “battle cry” was gratitude:
“Give thanks to the Lord, for His love endures forever.”
Instead of “Eye of the Tiger” blasting in the background, they stepped onto the battlefield singing praises to God. And as they worshiped, something miraculous happened. The Lord Himself set an ambush against their enemies. Confusion spread. Panic broke out. Their enemies turned on each other.
Judah never lifted a sword. They only lifted a song. That’s defiant gratitude in action. It’s praising before deliverance, worshiping before breakthrough, giving thanks when nothing makes sense.
From Battle to Blessing
When the dust settled, Judah’s enemies were defeated. Verse 29 says: “The fear of God came on all the surrounding kingdoms… and the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God gave him rest on every side.”
The result of trusting, thanking, and worshiping God was peace, rest, and victory, without even striving. Isn’t that what we long for this Thanksgiving? Not just a peaceful meal, but peace in our hearts. Not just a full table, but a soul at rest.
Thanksgiving Lessons from Jehoshaphat
So, what can we learn from Jehoshaphat’s story as we head into Thanksgiving, especially if we want to live with defiant gratitude?
1. Put away fear and discouragement.
Fear steals gratitude. Worry whispers that God won’t come through. But Scripture says, “Do not be afraid or discouraged.” Instead of focusing on what might go wrong, fix your gaze on what God has already done.
2. Position yourself before God.
Jehoshaphat positioned the people in prayer, fasting, and worship. This Thanksgiving, position your heart before God first. Before you cook the turkey, set the table, or brace for the family drama, bow in prayer instead.
3. Stand still and watch God work.
We like to control and fix things. But some battles aren’t ours to fight. Some burdens aren’t ours to carry. Step back, and let God show you what only He can do.
4. Give thanks in the middle, not just at the end.
Judah sang before the victory. Their thanksgiving was a declaration of trust. Likewise, even if you haven’t seen your breakthrough yet, give thanks anyway. Gratitude in the waiting honors God just as much as gratitude in the winning.
Thanksgiving at the Table
So, let’s bring this home. Imagine your Thanksgiving table this year. Maybe there’s tension in the air. Maybe your health is fragile, finances are tight, or there’s an empty seat that still breaks your heart. If that’s you, I’m very sorry for your loss or your struggle. May God comfort you with His peace and presence.
But what if this year, we chose defiant gratitude? What if we whispered together: “Lord, I don’t know what to do, but my eyes are on You.” And maybe, just maybe, we let our hearts quietly sing: “Give thanks to the Lord, for His love endures forever.” (If you’re brave enough to sing it out loud at the table, I’ll be off-key right there with you!)
Because defiant gratitude means being thankful regardless of circumstances and trusting that the same God who fought for Jehoshaphat fights for you. The same God who turned a battlefield into a blessing can turn your situation into peace.
Defiant Gratitude
This Thanksgiving, let’s live out Jehoshaphat’s battle plan by: Don’t fear. Position your heart before God. Stand still. Give thanks, even in the messy middle. Because when we do, we’ll discover what Jehoshaphat did: The battle isn’t ours. It belongs to the Lord.
And the fruit of that trust is rest, peace, and a thanksgiving that lasts far beyond one holiday meal. So, pass the turkey, pour the gravy, and practice defiant gratitude by choosing to be thankful when life hurts. Let’s be a blessing to someone this year! Gobble-gobble.
Happy Thanksgiving,
💛 Dee
This Thanksgiving, don’t just count your blessings, but step into a lifestyle of Defiant Gratitude: Choosing to Be Thankful When Life Hurts. If this message encouraged you, I’d love for you to join me on the journey.
Subscribe to deehumphrey.com for monthly hope-filled encouragement, biblical insights, and resources to help you keep walking forward in faith. Together, let’s learn to give thanks anyway.
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