"A Hymn of Praise"

PSALMS 100 [A Psalm of Praise.]
If you really want to give thanks to God, try praising Him when you don't feel like you have anything to be thankful about. It really does put a damper on your pity party, if you are willing to make it real and just praise Him for being your God. We can feel like giving up over the most unworthy issues; things that cannot be reversed, like someone you love suddenly dying, or anything else that seems as though it has taken you beyond where you wanted to go. I say that they are unworthy, only because they are issues that do not change your position in Christ. They might cause you some pain, they might even cause you to be angry with God, or even doubt that He loves you as much as you thought that He did; but God is big enough to take you being angry, He is even big enough to take your doubt; and if you are willing to let go of it, He can also take away your pain. We might not be able to explain or accept why God allows to happen what He allows, but it is really not reason enough to throw in the towel and stop serving Him. Maybe stuff just happens! Maybe stuff happens because this world is a mess, and maybe stuff happens because this world is evil. I know we hear it all the time, that everything happens for a reason; but what if it does not have a reason, except that it was tragic. Beyond all of that, God is more than willing and able to turn every situation into a opportunity to be glorified, even if it was a tragic accident or something that just happened. As complicated as that might sound, it is really quite simple to accept the fact that we need God more; the more that life feels out of control, the more we need God to run to for shelter and strength. Having been through some of the issues that can cause pain, I can tell you with experience that God can and will take the pain away. He not only takes the pain away, but He replaces it with a joy that is beyond belief. But it requires that you give Him the pain, you cannot hold onto it and expect Him to take it away...
"Because God's children are human beings -made of flesh and blood -the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying. We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested." (Hebrews 2:14-18) NLT