I sat on the edge of my dad’s bed. I was eager to tell him a story – just like I’d done since I was a little girl. Dad always loved a good story, a deep conversation, or an interesting discussion about anything at all, really. (There’s a reason we called him Philosophical Phil.) 

As I talked to Dad, I could see his trademark smile beneath his oxygen mask, and the way his smile crinkled his eyes at the edges. 

There’s my Dad, I thought to myself. He’s still in there.

His grip on my hand wasn’t as firm as it once was, but he held my hand all the same – just like he’d done since I was a child on our Sunday morning walks to church. His eyes were open, and I could tell he was trying to fully comprehend what I had to say. 

But when it came time for Dad to respond, his words weren’t stringing together like they once did – and it was clear that they probably never would again, until heaven. That broke my heart into a million pieces, because I realized that I’d likely had my last meaningful conversation with Dad here on earth.

Later that day, I went on a walk, crying with each step. Then, I remembered how Dad had lived his whole life with optimism and gratitude, even on the hardest days. He truly was the kind of man who could manage a legit smile underneath an oxygen mask. 

Don’t get me wrong: Dad knew the power of lament. He was not afraid of tears or grief. But thankfulness was a consistent part of his character, and he wanted his kids to live that way too — even on our hardest days, especially on our hardest days. 

 I confess to you that on hard days, my first reaction isn’t to feel thankful.

On hard days, you’d more likely find me trying to pray my way out of the struggle. 

But the truth of the matter is, hard days can turn into hard seasons, no matter how much we pray. So the question becomes, “Will I praise Him anyway?” 

I want to be the kind of person who, even at my lowest:

– Refuses to allow circumstances to dictate my life or my praise.

– Understands that God’s love is above anything that can happen to me or the people I love.

– Knows that God is worthy of praise, always. 

I’m thankful that the Bible shows us how.

Remember King Jehoshaphat? He had a vast army coming against him. Instead of freaking out, he sought the Lord through prayer and fasting. That’s a pretty wise first move when faced with a trial of such magnitude. 

And then he waited. He listened. And he heard from the Lord.

God told him to appoint singers to go ahead of the army, praising God. Take that in for a minute. God didn’t say to send chariots, warriors, or marksmen. The order: Send SINGERS.

“Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:

‘Give thanks to the Lord,
    for his love endures forever.’”
2 Chronicles 20:21 NIV

I love how their song of praise didn’t start after the victory, but before it.

When we sense a battle ahead of us, we can do the same. We can pray, fast, seek God’s guidance, and yes, even sing in the face of our enemies. 

What does your enemy look like today? Maybe, it’s a conflict at work, a broken relationship, some disappointing news, or the death of someone you love. Maybe you’re under a full-scale spiritual attack right now. If so, sing. Praise God with all of your might. The devil cannot stand to be in the same room as your praise. 

That day, during my walk, I recommitted myself to praise God, no matter what. That’s the way my dad taught me to live. More importantly, that’s the way our Heavenly Father teaches all of us to live. When we are met with misery, we can outmatch it with a melody.  

My dad traded his earthly residence for a heavenly one a few weeks after that moment at his bedside, leaving a legacy of praise. And for as long as I live, I want to be the kind of daughter who lifts her face to the heavens to say, “No matter what I’m going through, God, I will praise You anyway.”

Check out Jennifer’s journal, Stuff I’d Only Tell God, to put gratitude into practice.

 

Listen to Jennifer’s devotion below or on your favorite podcast app!

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