Praiseworthy Thoughts: Gratitude as Spiritual Warfare

We often think of spiritual warfare as something loud—rebuking, casting out, standing firm. And yes, sometimes it is. But more often than not, the real battle happens in the quiet corners of our minds. It shows up in what we choose to think about… and what we refuse to dwell on.

This is why gratitude isn’t just polite—it’s powerful.

When we intentionally choose thanksgiving, even in hard times, we are not just shifting our mood—we are waging war.

The Mind is a Battlefield

There was a season in my life where worry and fear crept in like unwelcome guests. I was facing the unknown—job insecurity, financial pressure, uncertainty about the next step. On the outside, I kept moving. But on the inside, my thoughts were spiraling.

The Lord led me to Philippians 4:8, where Paul says:

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true… honest… just… pure… lovely… of good report… think on these things.”

He didn’t just say pray about these things—He said think on them.

I realized then that my mind was not set on the truth of God’s Word. It was set on fear, control, and anxiety. And until I changed that, I would continue living in mental torment.

Gratitude is a Weapon

When I started thanking God—out loud, daily, intentionally—something began to shift.

I thanked Him for who He is:

Jehovah Jireh, my provider.

Jehovah Shalom, my peace.

El Roi, the God who sees me.

I thanked Him for what He’d already done.

Even when I didn’t feel like it.

Even when nothing had changed yet.

And that’s when the atmosphere shifted—not just around me, but within me.

Gratitude silenced the enemy’s lies.

It pushed back the darkness.

It made room for peace to settle in.

Gratitude became my spiritual weapon—one I could use every single day.

Thanksgiving Trains Your

The more I gave thanks, the more I trained my spirit to recognize God’s hand, even in difficult seasons. I stopped obsessing over what was missing and started acknowledging what was already there.

• Peace in the middle of chaos?

  Thank You, Lord.

• Clarity when confusion tried to take over?

  Thank You, Lord.

• Joy that made no sense?

  Thank You, Lord.

Gratitude was preparing my heart for the next battle, too—because now I had a strategy.

If your mind feels like a battlefield right now, you’re not alone.

But I want to remind you: You have a choice.

You don’t have to let fear have the final say.

You don’t have to entertain thoughts that aren’t rooted in God’s truth.

You can fight back—with praise.

You can think on what is true.

You can speak what is good.

You can give thanks—before the victory comes.

And that kind of faith?

That kind of mindset?

It’s not just praiseworthy—it’s powerful.

With love, Lisa