When Life Gives You Lemons

There's an old proverb that says, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." It is supposed to inspire hopefulness and a positive attitude in the face of difficulty or misfortune. Lemons suggest sourness or trials in life while lemonade is a sweet drink.

Sounds simple, right? When bad things happen, make lemonade. Too simple. Life isn't about adding a bit of sugar to sweeten it up--it takes something more.

No one wants a life full of trials and tribulations, but as long as we are on this earth, we will have challenges. It's how we choose to meet those challenges that mold us and shape us into strong Christians.

Children grow up hearing stores from the Bible that give them courage:  Daniel in the lion's den, Jonah and the whale, and so many more. All of these stories are prime examples of  God's intervention during trials and tribulations.

As adults, we see things differently. We believe our trials are much greater than children's Bible stories--they are reality for us and seem bigger than life, and they overwhelm us. We sometimes forget that God is right there with us. We are so focused on what we are doing now and our problems that we don't always see the big picture or other things that are going on around us. We are too busy to focus outside of ourselves.

We forget that the temptations and trials are preparing us for eternal life. In the book of James, chapter 1, verses 2-4, we are told to "count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

Bad things happen. It's how we handle the trials that really counts. Sometimes we need to change our perspective. Jesus Himself told us that we would have trouble in this world. But, no matter what, when we place our trust in God, the bad things become less of a challenge.

Every day is a new day--a new sunrise, a new season, a new opportunity, and a new hope--and Jesus is right there beside us. We never face our trials alone. God doesn't promise us a life free from trials--He promises us life!


Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (1 Peter 5:7)