(Note: this page is intended for Christians; if you are not a Christian you are free to read but this page is not intended for you)
1 Thessalonians 5:18
"give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will..."
Being thankful is truly such a great thing to be, but what exactly does it mean to be thankful?
It means
"Being conscious of benefits or situations received in your life and being very happy/pleased because of them."[1]
Most humans are not thankful or find it hard to be thankful because they are not even conscious of the benefits or blessings they have in their life, or even if they are conscious of these blessing, they don't really appreciate them to feel happy about them. However, it should be difference for us Christians who consciously realize God blesses us with benefits/situations in our life; we should be consciously grateful to God for all he has given us (like shelter, food/water, a job, family etc.)
As Paul says, all thanks for these blessing should always go to God:
1 Corinthians 15:57
"...thanks be to God!"
However, what if everything is not going well in your life? What is your in prison or in a war? Life isn't all well and blessed then! Should you still give thanks to God during these hard times are well as the good times? The Bible reveals yes, you should give thanks even in some of the most horrible situations you could be in, because God still gives blessings to you even if they are considered "small" things such as a small piece of food or a drop of water even just for still being alive! I still comes from God and God wants you to give him thanks for all that no matter what circumstance your in!
1 Thessalonians 5:18
"give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
So as Christians, we should always give our thanks to God for every good thing in our life; no matter if the main situation is good or bad concluding the importance of living a Christian life Paul ends his conclusion with, we should be overflowing with thankfulness:
Colossians 2:7
"…overflowing with thankfulness."
Sources:
[1]
[A] Merriam-Webster “Thankful”
Website:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thankful
[B] Cambridge dictionary “Thankful”
Website:
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/thankful