It is impossible to be thankful if you take for granted every good thing that you have.
Take freedom for example. When people take freedom for granted, they do not think much about it. They are used to it and it is not a big deal to them. However, those who have no freedom will tell you that freedom is priceless. Unfortunately, people do not know what they have until they lose it. The same goes with health.
Ingratitude is often the result of overabundance. Those who have nothing take nothing for granted. The pilgrims were looking for civil and religious liberty because they did not have them. As a result they were truly grateful when they found them. They were also thankful when they brought in a bountiful harvest, and grateful to the Indians who helped make it possible.
Let’s be thankful for the things we have and stop focusing on the things we don’t have. Every time we fixate on the things we want, on the things we don’t have, we forget the blessings God has given us and we turn into ungrateful people. Ungratefulness is one of the ugliest things a human being can bring forth from his or her heart.
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT)