#4 What if.............(We were grateful)

This is the season that we consider gratitude. It always fascinates me how a season is intended to replace a way of life. Maybe its intended to be a personal reminder or at least a wake up call. During this season we are reminded of how blessed we are even in times of trouble. James 1 tells us to 'consider it pure joy whenever we face trials of many kinds'. I can understand enduring trials, persevering through trials, maybe even tolerating trials but joy. Really? How does that happen? But what if it could? What if gratitude wasn't based on circumstances? What if gratitude wasn't dependent on your marital status, your finances or your personal goals achieved? What if gratitude had nothing to do with the end result but rather the trial? And what if we could truly find joy whenever we faced trials of many kinds? Would it change what we are enduring? Maybe not but what if the trial was intended to change us?