Historically, Thanksgiving has traditionally been a celebration of the blessings of the year, including the harvest. It’s a time of remembrance. In other words, we celebrate our hard work and the productivity God has brought about in our lives.

Everything from the decor to the festive menu seems to hum with excitement. However, along with the celebration, the holiday season often brings with it mixed emotions.

Some of us will struggle with family relationships, while others will be challenged financially. We can also experience a loneliness that hovers like a dark cloud, even among friends. Then, there’s the stress and frenzy of too much to do and not enough time to do it.

We’ve all heard the platitude—attitude of gratitude—but if you are anything like me, I can’t force myself to be grateful just because I’m supposed to be grateful. That is inauthentic at best, and will eventually fall flat. Truly, I want to be grateful because I have something to be grateful for.

Unfortunately, if you are in a season of personal challenge, the virtue of giving thanks can feel like a feat of great proportions. But it doesn’t have to be. All it takes is a vision of divine perspective.

In 2 Kings chapter 6, Elisha and his servant were in a major battle. They woke up one morning to find themselves surrounded by enemy forces. The servant was stricken with fear at the massive army standing strong before them. But Elisha had vision beyond what his eyes could see and he wanted his servant to experience it for himself.

So Elisha prayed that his servant’s eyes be opened. And boy were they. Just beyond the physical curtain stood a great and fierce army of a spiritual nature. To his amazement, the hills surrounding them were full of God’s horses and chariots of fire set to fight and conquer on their behalf. Need I say, their story ends in glorious victory.

Every time I read this passage in scripture, it gives me chills, and reminds me that God has an orchestra of angels waging war on my behalf. Even when I can’t see it. And especially when I don’t feel it. And for that, I am humbly grateful.

We may not always see our blessings, but sometimes, God calls us to look at our life through a different lens. Not as the world sees, but with spiritual eyes of victory.

Go ahead…give it a try. Out of the chaos of this past year, what do you see? Opposition or opportunity? Stumbling block or stepping stone? Problem or provision?

How about one step further? Who do you see yourself to be through this past year of trials and triumphs? Coward or conqueror?

In times of defeat and hopelessness, when it’s tough to be thankful, that should be our signal to pray for our eyes to be opened. The blessing is revealed when we can see the hand of God and the orchestra of angels waging war on our behalf. What are you waiting for? Open your eyes and see!

Reflect and Respond:

Take a few moments to look back on your life. As you look back, can you see God’s faithfulness? How has the hand of God orchestrated your circumstances? Try and grasp the reality of God’s presence and promises in the midst of the hard times. Can you look back with gratitude for what God has done? Share what you are grateful for today!

May the Lord open your eyes as you look back over the last year to see the beautiful and bountiful woman he is training you to be.

Remember, you are not alone. Be blessed as you see beyond the “opposition” to the “opportunity”.