Gratitude is huge! It’s so powerful because it’s acknowledging that we are part of the whole and it takes us away from our selfish selves. Believing and having faith in the Salvation of All can keep us on a constant state of gratefulness and deep appreciation.
“Giving thanks always for ALL THINGS unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph. 5:20)
I guess that “all things” include what we have and what we don’t, all our ideas and feelings, all the places we go, the foods we eat, the resting times we enjoy, and etc., etc.
“…THANKS, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority…” (1Tim. 2:2)
By giving thanks to God for all our authorities (anyone who has any kind of power over us) we are automatically acknowledging that God is in control of EVERYBODY and we that have no free-will. Politicians, companies – kings, they are all bellow God; giving thanks for all of them will bring us peace; after all, we are getting closer to God (whom among powerful authorities; He is the Most Powerful)...
Giving thanks for all the people that crosses our path (either they are lovely or not) also brings good things to us; at the end, everybody will come to the knowledge of The Truth…
Giving thanks for our friends is even easier. When Paul was writing to his friends in Thessalonica he was so grateful for is spiritual grow,
“We are bound to THANK GOD ALWAYS FOR YOU, BRETHREN [my buddies!], as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth” (2Thes. 1:3)
And if you have the appreciation skills to see God’s goodness, loving kindness and wonderful works, then you have more material to be grateful. We can even be grateful for His parental discipline and correction even when it hurts. The poet king David wrote
“At midnight I will rise to GIVE THANKS UNTO THEE because of thy righteous judgments.”
(Psalm 119:62)
And it’s trough righteous judgments that everybody will be saved:
“…for WHEN THY JUDGMENTS are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” (Isaiah 26:9)
And seems like we should also,
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, SINGING AND MAKING MELODY IN YOUR HEART [Yes, let our lives become a beautiful melody!] to the Lord; GIVING THANKS ALWAYS FOR ALL THINGS unto God” (Eph. 5:20)
“IN EVERY THING GIVE THANKS: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1Tes. 5:18)
“In every circumstance of life be thankful; for this is God's will in Christ Jesus respecting you” (Version WNT)
So, seems like being grateful do not sounds as a suggestion…