Life can hit us hard and we will tend to forget what God has done for us in the past. The problems of life are inevitable and they will come without warning. What you do in the midst of the problems will determine how you come out of it. I don't know who coin this statement but it says "don't forget what God said in the light when you go through the dark". There are ups and downs in life and we must learn to cope and deal with them and not to be perturbed.
We are being exhorted and admonished by Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus(NLT)". Whiles it may be hard to give thanks amid your trials but it is necessary based on 1 Thessalonians 5:18. Giving thanks opens the door for God to change your circumstances around. Sometimes the devil may keep your focus on the problem instead of God. But if you can keep your focus on God and with unwavering faith your situation is bound to change.
Irrespective of what the circumstance is there is still a cause to be thankful to God. You are still standing and that circumstance will not break you. The Apostle Paul even writes again in Romans 8:28 "and we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (NLT)". You have to be assured and thankful that all things will work out just as Apostle Paul has written in Romans 8:28. Any problem that you are facing God will cause it to work because you are called by him.
We are called and chosen by God and we grow in grace in the understanding of his promised (word of God) our hearts should be thankful no matter the adversity. God has not even promised us a smooth sail in this journey called life. His word says in John 16:33 that we will go through trials and tribulations but we should be of good cheer because he has overcome the world. So as long as we exist here on this earth, trials will come but we must be of good cheer because God will help us overcome.
Many times we may tend to complain and murmur when we go through adversity instead of giving thanks as the bible instructs us. But complaining and murmuring will only prolong your circumstance and not solve it. The same energy that you will use to complain and murmur, use the same energy to give praise and thanks to God. I believe we all remember the story of the Israelites their complaining and murmuring cost them from not possessing the promised land. The next generation possesses the land (please read Numbers 11). This should not be our portion because we have come too far. We must possess what God has for us and leave a legacy for the next generation.
Being thankful in all circumstances is also a sign of God's faithfulness and goodness. No matter the circumstance God is still gracious and faithful. God's nature does not change in regard to our circumstances. God is still the same today, yesterday and forever more (please read Hebrews 13:8). The following principles are the benefits of giving thanks to God in the midst of your adversity:
1. Have a new perspective that God can turn things around in a split second.
2. Learn to lean and meditate on the promises of God. Doing this will renew your faith in God.
3. Being thankful in the midst of your adversity defeats the devil's lies.
4. Thankfulness brings peace and joy.
5. Thankfulness will help you stay positive even though what you are going through is negative.
6. Thankfulness helps you have an intimate relationship with God.
7. Thankfulness helps you stay grounded and humble.
8. Thankfulness is obedience to God's word and that his promises concerning your life will not fail.
In summary, try as much as possible to cultivate a habit of thanksgiving to God in the midst of any trials. Being thankful will affirm his goodness upon your life.