It is always easy to give thanks when we have good things coming to us - good friendship, well loved by people, good results, good career progression and smooth-sailing lives. On the other hand, it is also often difficult to give thanks when we are disliked by friends and people we like, less ideal results, lack of career progression, and hardship infiltrating into every aspect of our lives. Moments like these make us feel that God is very far away from us, and we need these problems to be solved before we can see that God is real in our lives.
If what bothered you is still bothering you now, give thanks! For God knows that you cannot taste the sweetness of His sovereign grace when you are not bothered. Instead of remaining disturbed by your circumstances (family resistances towards gospel, examinations, unpleasant treatment from others…) because you cannot change them by your own will and wisdom, choose to quiet down and know what you have first, before fighting the battle!
You are the child of God, and you have a Father who knows every of your need even before you asked or present them into prayers. Your Father knows when you are in pain, and wants to comfort you when you are in sadness. Most importantly, our Father will never forsake His own children. There is nothing in this world too big for Him to conquer, but if you do not know you have such an almighty Father, there is nothing you can conquer.
God allows problems in your life to destroy the typicality in you (such as your world views, your pursuit, your purpose in life) so as to restore Christ fully in your life. Each problem is an opportunity to be Holy Spirit filled to drive out the forces of darkness in that area of your life, because the typicality in you is due to the deceptive work from Satan. Each problem is a closer step to crushing the grasps of Satan in your life when you know how to draw strength from the Holy Spirit that works in accordance to what God says.
If you keep holding onto your true identity as child of God and use God's unfailing love to see all things happening in your life, without you knowing, one day you realize that despite problems/challenges remain, you are no longer bothered by them emotionally and physically. Instead, you are full of hope and anticipation because you know that God will preserve you till the end, so that people can see the work of Christ in your life through your total submission to Christ. And you will have the courage to proclaim to Satan that you're not afraid of his attacks because you know that each attack is propelling you towards receiving greater grace from God, knowing that you are living in the truth and God is with you even in these struggles.
Therefore, receive great assurance not only in current problem you are facing, but from every problem that comes in future. God's covenant is absolute and will never change, His words will never be chained by your weakness. Indeed, to be called to be His Child - is a freely given privilege :) Don't feel weak and lousy, look at the finished work on the cross and do the right thing, the truth will prove that it is true :)
