So the computer crashes, it won’t log in with the password you know is correct, you get into the recovery mode reset password, and turns out it was your username that was wrong. So you reset the password to something stronger (maybe that’s why God let this happen!) and attempt to login with the old username and new password and it… fails. Until on the fifth attempt, you use your old password and it works like a charm.

It’s moments like this, we may not be inclined to give thanks. What’s the point? Is there a reason to thank God that nothing quite works right?

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV

Scripture couldn’t be clearer though. Yes, even in the mild frustrations of this life, even when they turn into major ones, we are to give thanks.

There are times when it’s easy to find reasons to give thanks, to focus on the good we see God bring out of our adversities, and there are times when there seems no actual point, no lesson gained in any particular series of events. It’s in times like this that we remember that giving thanks to God has value unto itself.

Giving thanks is a demonstration of trust in our loving Father. Giving thanks is an act of faith.

Perhaps we should read the rest of the chapter, where we are admonished not to render evil for evil, but to rejoice ever more and pray without ceasing. In the midst of our trials we turn to God and we give thanks. There need be no hidden blessing of a lost password, though God may indeed provide one. The hidden blessing is a moment to choose to focus on thanking God for His goodness rather than complaining to Him that the world is not perfect.

Because He is perfect.

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33 KJV