Another TWO mysteries. Nothing like stirring the pot ;-)

1 Thessalonians 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is ...

Ephesians 5:20 always giving thanks to God the Father for ...

Recommend reading on this subject
Compleat Surrender by Andrew Murray.
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/murray/surrender.ii.html

And the Book.Power to Praise... Foundation of Praise  Merlin Carothers http://www.foundationofpraise.org/home.html

Both these men and many more like them - George Muller, Leonard Ravenhill and Corry Ten Boom believed that we are to give thanks IN and FOR Everything... Trusting totally in God's Sovereignty.

It seems like a paradox and for years I just could not get it. IN - I understood but FOR....? Are you nuts!

But IN shows us that God can get us out of problems and FOR shows us that he is bigger then the circumstances and sometimes allows things in our life for our good, training for reining, forming character, and learning to wait on Him. Jesus' crucifixion at the time, looked like a bad thing to the disciples, but it turned out for our good.

Merlin Carothers...did a really good job at opening my eyes to this truth...Have look at his books and if you have a copy dust it off and really sit down and read it...it requires a really good chew.