In All Things

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 
  This time of the years we all are reflecting on the things that we are thankful for.  Our families, our homes, our jobs are just some of the things you hear most often.  The other day when I read this verse, something got my attention that never had before, "In everything".  "Everything?" I questioned to myself.  I have studied on this and even searched other translations. One translation read, " in every situation give thanks".  Situations can be good, but they also can be bad.  It hit me then.  I had been unthankful for the bad things that had happened in my life.  One such situation came to mind. 
  Several years back, one of those bad things happened.  It literally tore my heart out and there was nothing that could be done about it.  I was an emotional wreck for a long while.  But time passed and things got better.
  Looking back on that now, I realized that if that had not happened I would not be at the place in the Lord where I am now.  It took that one event in my life to change me and finally put me on the path that the Lord wanted me on.  Because of that, God placed people in my life that otherwise would have not been there.  Because of that, God put a desire in my heart to do a work for Him and to fully realize the call that had been on my life all along.  Because of that one event, I had a hunger and thirst for of  God that I never dreamed of.
  After seeing all this, I had to ask God to forgive me for my unthankfullness in that situation.  I had to pray and thank the Lord for His goodness and for allowing that one bad thing to happen to put me on the right path for Him.  I had learned to be thankful for all things.
  I know that this is not a popular teaching but it is real.  We have to learn to be thankful in every situation, even if we have to look real hard to see it.