but what if I can’t?

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

- 1 Thessalonians 5:18

This one is a hard one.

How do we give thanks for the bad things?

What if i can't?

I have trouble giving thanks for a car that breaks down, or the loss of a friend (I am not putting those in the same category, by the way).

It is sometimes really hard to see, but today’s first song reference is:

Blessings

We pray for blessings

We pray for peace

Comfort for family, protection while we sleep

We pray for healing, for prosperity

We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering

All the while, You hear each spoken need

Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near

What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

And then, on the way to work, I heard this one that I also love:

This is the stuff

I lost my keys in the great unknown
And call me please 'cause I can't find my phone

This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff that's getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I've gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use

Forty-five in a thirty-five
Sirens and fines while I'm running behind
Whoa

This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff that's getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I've gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use

To break me of impatience
Conquer my frustrations
I've got a new appreciation
It's not the end of the world

So today I am thankful for the hard things.

The things that make me sad, the things that hurt, the things that feel like the world is coming down around me.

I am thankful for the trials of this life, and the stuff that drives me crazy.

Have a blessed day!