Recently I met an elderly lady at a garage sale. We talked about giving thanks. After finding a trinket she liked, she shouted out, “Thank you Jesus!” I responded, “Yes, we can be thankful for the smallest things.” She smiled, then replied, “I’ve also learned to use gratitude as a weapon against the enemy.” I asked, “How? She smiled and said, “It’s a weapon I use and don’t have to fight!” She continued, “I find something to thank God for in spite of what I see or hear. My mind is made up to thank God anyhow.”

The more she spoke, the more enlightened I became on how giving thanks can be used as a weapon to combat the enemy. I see that when I’m thanking God, I’m not thinking about the devil nor his attacks against me. When he tries to discourage, block, or stop me, I can resist him with words of thanksgiving to God. Thanking Him turns my focus away from the enemy attack to lifting God up. When I lift God up, He will not leave me defeated. Victory is mine.

She finally added, “When we give thanks, it’s hard for the devil to bound a grateful heart. The devil won’t stand around while we’re busy thanking God.”At the close of our dialogue, I thanked her for sharing her trinkets on gratitude. Who would have thought that a simple dialogue at a garage sale would produce more insight on how to use gratitude?

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57 KJV).

I will keep on thanking God for words of inspiration that comes my way.  By Hertistine Washington/ keeponthanking.com