Recently I was on my way to purchase supplies at the Dollar Store and as I reached for the store door, I realized I was missing something. I peered down into my purse and noticed my keys were not there. I walked back to my car hoping for an open door, but I was locked out. As I peeked in the passenger window, I could see my long black lanyard with my keys attached right there on the passenger seat for all to see, and for no one to access. 
 
After almost an hour of walking the aisles of the Dollar Store, I thanked the man from CAA for unlocking my door with a wire coat hanger. Although my car key is small, it is the mighty piece of metal that gets me to where I need to be.
 
This Thanksgiving, I am celebrating that Jesus has handed us spiritual keys for victorious living that cannot be taken, lost or tampered with. They are effective spiritual weapons that we can choose to use at any time. Thanksgiving is one of those keys.
 
In 2 Corinthians 10:4 Paul said, “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.” – 2 Corinthians 10:4
 
Our enemy satan tries to convince us that where we feel stuck, we will always be trapped, and that our keys to freedom are inaccessible. He tempts us to believe that where we struggle now, we always will.

You might be tempted to believe the depression you feel now will never change. Where you’ve been hurt, you will always be wounded. In the ways you've been mistreated, you will always be. The addiction that controls you always will. The fear that paralyzes you will forever continue. The anger that overtakes you will never subside... the things that hold you back now from experiencing spiritual victory always will.
 
When facing these lies, Thanksgiving is our key to victory, change and forward movement.
 
On earth, we live amidst a spiritual war that wages between good and evil. Satan’s full-time job is to steal, kill and bring destruction in our lives (John 10:10). His top priority is to put distance between us and God and he does this by tempting us to doubt the authority and victory Jesus has made always accessible to us through his once-and-for-all sacrificial death and resurrection.

It is finished.
satan is defeated.
The war is won.
But we continue to experience battles in our broken world
and as we do,
we can choose to use the key of Thanksgiving. 
 
Thanksgiving positions us firmly in our authority as Sons and Daughters of Father God and Co-heirs with King Jesus. Thanksgiving allows us to access supernatural power to win battles in the spiritual realm.
 
In 2 Chronicles 20:21, King Jehoshaphat is being attacked by His enemies and he cries out to God for help saying, “O our God, Won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.” (20:12)
 
God responded to Jehoshaphat’s prayer by saying, 
 
“Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (20:15)
 
“…You will not need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you…” (20:17)
 
Jehoshaphat prayed and worshipped and instructed His people saying, “Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm." (20:20)
 
Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. 
 
Where you have been tempted to believe you will never move forward, be free, or advance – you can choose to use your key of Thanksgiving and praise right now, trusting that God is fighting your battle. 
 
On the day of battle, Jehoshaphat “appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: “Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!”
  
This song of thanksgiving was the key to the Israelites’ victory and it is yours too.

On this Thanksgiving Monday, may you be deeply convinced of God’s faithful love towards you. May you be assured of your own authority as you come out of agreement with any lies and take up your position by standing in the Truth of God's promises. May Thanksgiving be your key to the victory that is yours, forever and always, amen.

Happy Thanksgiving!