The Bible tells us that God wants us to be thankful in all circumstances. The scriptures would not tell us to do something that is impossible. How is it possible for me to be thankful ‘no matter what?’
One way is to be ‘in Jesus’ while I am ‘in circumstances.’ Jesus asked those of us who are his disciples (John 15) to “remain in me and let my words remain in you.”
There is a story in the Bible about Peter, a disciple of Jesus, who was with the eleven other disciples IN a boat, IN a storm on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus showed up walking on the water. Peter, after he gathered his wits, asked Jesus for a word: “Tell me to come to you on the water Jesus, and I’ll do it.” Jesus said, “Come to me.” Peter stepped over the side of the boat and started walking up the side of a wave. Then he leaked. The words of Jesus, “Come to me” leaked out of his soul. Then he sank (don’t worry, Jesus saved him). Fearful thinkin’ will leave ya’ sinkin’. One way I remain in Christ is to get a word from him and make sure that I don’t let the circumstances (e.g. – the storm) drive that word from my heart.
One guy asked another guy who was going through some hardships, “How are you doing?” The man in trials responded, “Not too bad, under the circumstances,” upon which his friend queried, “What are you doing under the circumstances? You should be on top of them!”
If remain IN Christ today, and his word remains in me, I can be thankful even in negative circumstances!!!