Don't skip the prepositions in Paul's writings about thankfulness — "in everything give thanks"... "with thanksgiving"... — what we don't see is “be thankful for everything." The difference is profound.
If God has created miracles in our own lives, miracles far beyond what we deserve... well, surely He will reach down and save someone far more pure and decent and childlike in their heart than we ever were... right?
Talk is cheap. We thank the Lord and we say Lord, we're so grateful for all that you've done. Well, do you know what we need to do? We need to offer to God the sacrifices of thanksgiving.
Looking for a way to define Thanksgiving? Philippians suggests "the opposite of anxiety," while the Psalms might call it "the corrective for sadness and grief."