1 Thessalonians 5:18 In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Life can change so quickly for all of us and when it does, that is an opportunity for us to tell God "thank You" IN the midst of them.
The Apostle Paul knew very well that life could be happy one moment and fearful the next, or up one moment and down the next. Therefore, because he has learned to be content in whatever state he finds himself, he exhorts us to do the same by thanking God "IN" all circumstances.
I can recall in 2012 when I was complaining to God about a problem I had been dealing with and instead of thanking Him that it was not as bad as it could have been, I continually complained to Him daily about it.
In my ranting about my problem to God, I heard this small still voice whisper to me, these words: "Debra, do not look at what it is that you are going through, but instead, look at what it could have been."
In hearing those words, my view of the circumstance at the time changed immediately and I went from complaining and blaming to telling God "Thank You" without hesitation.
Sometimes, life requires a true reality check! God has to give us a quick peek in the midst of our complaining, a view of what could have been.
Gratitude should be the attitude of the heart of the believer, regardless of what life throws at us.
Gratitude to God for all He has done for us will be evident in our prayer to Him in all circumstances.
As we daily learn how to be content in whatsoever state we may find ourselves, we will also find that thanking God "IN" all things has become something common in our lives also.
"IN" all things, give God thanks for this is His will concerning us in Christ Jesus.
God bless.
Debra