Part of the attitude we should have in the midst of our problems is an attitude of thanksgiving. No, that’s not a typo! Look what Paul says to the Ephesians:

Ephesians 5:20

20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;

Of course, Paul repeats himself later to the Thessalonians:

1 Thessalonians 5:18

18 in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

If you are a Christian living in the United States of America in the 21^st century, then you have more to be thankful for than you can imagine. How about freedom, a place to live, food to eat, friends, family, a car to drive, not to mention the really wonderful things like salvation, forgiveness for your sins, eternity in heaven, the Word of God, the indwelling of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, a spiritual gift, the ability to approach God directly in prayer…

Well, you get the point. But God doesn’t want us to only be thankful for the things we think are good. If you notice the words above, EVERYTHING, and ALL, then you have to realize that God wants us to be thankful for the things that we think are painful!

Look what Paul says in Corinthians:

2 Corinthians 4:15-17

15 For all things are for your sakes, (That’s ALL things, not just the good things!) so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.

16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.

17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,

All your suffering is momentary. Even if your entire physical life here on earth is miserable, it’s only a bad second! You’re going to spend all of eternity in perfect environment in perfect happiness.

All your affliction is light. Try comparing the suffering and problems that you are going through to what Jesus went through on the Cross for you!

This verse can really give us some perspective in the midst of problems. But think back on something that seemed at the time to be bad. Can you look back on it, and see how it turned out for the best?

You are going to live for all eternity in heaven with God. It’s going to be perfect. Look at your life now, and realize that this is the only time you will ever be able to have problems! That’s the way to have confidence to give God thanks for the problems in your life!

So, we’re thankful for the good, AND the bad! God always knows what’s going on in your life, and He wants the best for you. Sometimes a little adversity is exactly what we need to grow closer to Him.

Philippians 4:6

6 Be anxious for nothing, (it actually says stop worrying about anything) but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

I guess the question is: can we ask God to remove our problems, and still be thankful for them?