There has always been something which again and again confused me. It is, we christians are supposed to thank God for everything. Now, even if that sounds a bit proud, a thanks is only in order when the received of thanks actually is responsible for what is thanked for. I do not mean to say that I withhold my thanks because I do not perceive God giving me so many good things. This is more about the fact that though we know, from doctrine, that God gives us all good, He often gives in disguise. It's like with bread. The farmer sows and harvests it, the miller mills it, the baker bakes it. Who is to receive the most thanks?
I do believe in the doctrine that God gives all the good. But because His hand is invisible, I only see other factors. Now here is what I propose - to live a christian life means to open your eyes to ALL the good things which God does, and then to give Him credit - while in the same time reaping from this the knowledge that God is good, which leads to an increased faith.
Now there are reasons for thankfulness which we see immediately, such like when we are in a pain and God heals it. On such occasioans we *feel* relief from torment, which is pleasing us so much that we immediately give thanks our of happiness. But there is more. God has created for us edible plants and animals. While He doesn't bring the grain to the miller, while He doesn't put it in our hands, He has created it to begin with, and given us, as a community, the ability to utilize this. And then, like the scripture says, He sends us rain and sunshine, allowing the plants to grow.
Thankfulness is important in God's plan for us. The more thankful we are, the more grace will abound.