I just spent a good part of my morning writing thank-you notes to some very dear friends. Now you must know, as much as I like to write, thank-you notes are always hard for me to do. I never seem to be able to say enough in the small space you get on a thank-you note card. I have to force myself to write 'just a note' of thanks and not a complete dissertation on being thankful. So. . ., you are going to get the dissertation on being thankful.
Thankfulness is a part of my prayer time that comes in spurts. Some days the words of thankfulness just seem to flow on and on, and some days it is hard to be thankful for the things that are happening at that moment. Our Lord urges us to be thankful at all times and in all circumstances. " . . . give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
I like what the commentary on this verse says in the Life Application Bible. "Paul was not teaching that we should thank God 'for' everything that happens to us, but 'in' everything. Evil does not come from God, so we should not thank him for it. But when evil strikes, we can still be thankful for God's presence and for the good that he will accomplish through the distress."
As Christians, our thankfulness 'in' every situation is a witness to those around us. It makes a difference to nonbelievers when they see us handling tough situations with thankfulness rather than giving in to defeat. Often this form of testimony will do more to win people to Jesus Christ than a verbal witness. Our attitudes speak volumes. Our family, friends and co-workers certainly know there is something different about the us when we are trying to be thankful even when things are tough.
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3:17)