I recently saw a cartoon that showed a man walking a dog. The question above them was “What are you grateful for?” The dog is shown thinking, “All things” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. The Bible tells us to give thanks for everything. But how? When things go well, it's easy to say thank you. But what about when things feel difficult and falling apart? Is it possible to give thanks in the midst of difficulties? LISTEN TO THE Psalmist: BE HONEST WITH THE LORD You know how it can be. Sometimes things pile up on you. You feel tense, pressured and tired. Things aren't going well. Due to the dark things in the world and the stress and apprehension in your life, you find it difficult to come out of depression. You've heard that praising and giving thanks can bring blessings. But how is it done? Giving thanks is the last thing on your mind. Look what the Psalmist does here.(1) In his anger, he begins by being honest with God.1 As a deer pants after flowing streams, so pants my soul after you, O God. 2 My soul has thirst for God, for the living God. When will I come and see the face of God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, while men continually say to me, "Where is your God?" He says: «I need you, God! I want a touch of the living God in my life. I'm going through a lot. I have a lot of tears. It's hard, and even harder because someone is pushing it into you. 'So where is your God in all this you're going through? You say it's real. Well, where is He?'” Sometimes your problems and heartache can feel like a storm cloud over you. Or like an undercurrent that keeps dragging you down. You find yourself... in the middle of the paper... something. "Here, look at the paper that accompanies the bouquet." The note read: “Dear God, I have thanked you a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my thorns. Teach me the value of my thorns; teach me the glory of the cross I carry. Show me that I have come closer to You along the path of pain. Show me that, through my tears, the colors of Your rainbow appear much brighter.” Paul tells us to be 20 years old always and for everything thanking God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5) As Thanksgiving approaches, we are reminded to give thanks in all things, even in the midst of hardship. Psalm 42 provides clues on how to:1) Start by being honest with God2) Give thanks for the times the Lord has blessed you3) Remember the present power and presence of the Lord4) Trust and thank the Lord, who brings the victory of God