There is a saying, “when life gives you lemons make lemonade”.
Well, my life has been filled with lemons lately, but I’m choosing to make lemonade.
Have you ever gone through a season in your life where you are tired physically, emotionally and spiritually? If so, I know the feeling. I’m living it right now. Some seasons are harder than others, but the good news is that seasons are temporary.
Over the past ten months I have had a heart attack, my sweet momma passed away after a courageous battle with cancer, my husband developed a serious foot issue and next week I’m having surgery.
Is it hard to keep a positive perspective?
Sometimes it is, especially when I am looking at it from a worldly rather than a heavenly perspective.
We can choose to be sour like the world or drink the sweetness of Jesus. Click To TweetLife is Hard, but Jesus is Life!
Yes, these are some real lemons, but we can choose to be sour like the world or drink the sweetness of Jesus.
What has God been teaching me through this difficult season?
Our current circumstances don’t define God’s love for us. God’s love is immeasurable and never-changing. It doesn’t matter what problems we are experiencing in our lives, God will always be there for us.
I take great comfort and peace in knowing that while the world is forever changing, God has never changed. Our lives can change in a moment, but it doesn’t change who God is for us.
A Love Letter From Jesus
Here is one of my favorite verses because it reminds me of God’s faithfulness when I am feeling faithless:
“But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, ‘Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.'” ~ Isaiah 43:1-2
Instead of reading O Jacob or O Israel, put your name there. This is a personal love letter from the Lord to each of us. He calls us by name and tells us we are His.
There is nothing the world can do to us that God will not stand by our side and go through with us. In difficult times it is important to remind ourselves through the promise of His Word that we are not abandoned by God. The enemy loves to whisper lies. That is why it is so important we know the truth.
Comfort In The Chaos
Did you notice the very first thing the Lord tells us to do? Listen. Listen to the Lord who created you, formed you and tells you not to be afraid. No one knows us more intimately than the One who created us.
I’ve been that child who was upset, frantically crying and fearful of walking through these tough situations. I’ve told myself there is no way I am going to get through this and be able cling to my faith. But it is listening and knowing God’s voice that calms my aching heart and quenches my fears.
The first requirement is to “Listen” and the second is a call to action from God. In Psalm 50:15, God asks us to call upon Him for help. A cup of lemon juice is sour and bitter which no one wants to drink by itself. Lemons don’t become lemonade until we add some sweetness. God is the difference that changes our hearts from sourful (sorrowful) to sweetness.
“Call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you.” ~ Psalm 50:15
Am I perfect at it? No, but I can say I am much better than I used to be. I’m striving everyday to draw closer to the only One who can truly bring me comfort in chaos. Yes, there are seasons we’d rather not go through, but they allow us to grow and to see the sweetness of God in every aspect of our lives.
When Life Gives You Lemons Make Lemonade…
What about you? How do you handle the difficult seasons in your life? How we choose to handle our situations reflects on our testimony for God. I do not want to sour anyone towards God, the world does that enough all on its own.
I recently read this quote from Beth Moore and it sums up perfectly what God desires to do for each of us in our difficult seasons.
“God will sometimes allow things to get bad enough that we will be forced to look up. Victory always begins with a cry for help. When we come to the end of ourselves and cry out for help, amazing things will happen.”
Anybody want to make some amazing lemonade with me?
Sheila is making lemonade out of the lemons of life over on Candidly Christian… Click To TweetBooks for Related Reading
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Jesus really does make life sweeter, doesn’t He, Sheila? Love this post!
Hi, Heather!
Jesus TRULY makes everything sweeter! There is so sugar substitute needed when you have the real thing!
Thank you for this uplifting post. I needed more encouragement. God bless and I pray for a successful surgery and your fast recovery. Shalom!
Hi, Victoria!
Thank You for your kind words! I’m glad that I could encourage you. It is beautiful to know that even on our darkest days, we are never alone and God always provides what we need. I did have a very successful surgery and getting stronger every day!
Yes!!! Wonderfully written blog. I was saying “amen!” several times. I love the concept of not just making lemonade, but making it WITH Jesus!
I am a strong believer that it is not what happens to us, it’s who we become while it’s happening. Thank you for this beautiful reminder.
This is a beautiful post and I’m so glad you shared that quote from Isaiah. I’m still newish to Christianity and I haven’t read Isaiah yet but I really love that scripture. Since I’ve become Christian I’ve been trying hard to make lemonade from my lemons using God, just as you said.
Hi, Val!
We CAN do anything with Jesus! There are moments when we think we can’t do anymore and that is when I come to the conclusion I’m trying to carry all these lemons on my own instead of allowing God to work through me. I love what you said, “it’s who we become while it’s happening.” God is so faithful in teaching us what it means to know His sweet Spirit!
Hi, Kathleen!
This is one of my favorite scriptures because it is a promise and is an assurance that God is always with us! I’ve been a believer for a long time, but it doesn’t mean I don’t have my struggles. However, what it does say is that we never have to face those struggles alone. Knowing and believing that truth has given my heart and many others great comfort. I love the book of Isaiah and the lessons it has taught me through the years. I’m glad you are here, and this is a save and loving place to ask questions, make some new friends as we all grow in our faith.
Oh, yes, I know this season! I keep watch for how and where God is working and remind myself that He’s always at work, even if the outcome or timing isn’t what I would choose.
Hi, Laura!
You are so right! We may not always like what is going on in our lives, but we can trust the One who loves us more than we can ever imagine.
Love this. Life has been hard this year. But we are pressing into Him for comfort and trusting that He has it all worked together.
Hi, Tiffany!
I’m sorry that life has been hard for you too. It is good to know that God has our backs in everything and we can trust Him in all things. Life is filled with hard seasons, but I am thankful for my Jesus who never lets go of you or me.
Oh I’ll be praying for you. Isaiah 43:1-3 has been “my” verse for the past 10 years! So much comfort wrapped up in that verse.
Hi, Christine!
Thank You for your prayers! I’m thankful for the promises and comfort of these verses too. Sometimes, we all need that reminder that we are never alone and God has been faithful in showing me that no matter what happens in my life He is with me!
I’m praying that you feel the presence of our Comforter and Healer through this time, Sheila! Those verses in Isaiah 43 are ones I have stood on during hard times too. Thank you for sharing your struggles and your hope with us.
Hi, Jennifer!
Thank You, Jennifer! I can promise you that I do feel His presence in an extraordinary way. I’m blessed to know His love knows no boundaries and goes deep. We are blessed to know that Jesus is our ONLY hope and no matter what the world says God’s love will always remain!
Oh my!! This sounds so familiar to me. Yes, life gives us lemons some days and how we react to those lemons can make us or break us. Life gets rough, but I am thankful I can put my trust and faith in God. He is always with me no matter what the circumstance. Praising Him today for lemons turned to lemonade. Great message.
Hi, Melissa!
Yes, life can be hard, but you are right our reaction is key! As believers, the outside world is waiting and watching to see how we are going to respond. My prayer is my responses to a difficult situation will always demonstrate His love. Thank You for your encouragement!
Love your encouragement to listen. Somehow it feels so much easier to make noise and whine, but the peace and rest that come from listening is so rich!
Hi, Lydia! Trust me, I had to learn to listen. I wish I could say I always listened, but like everything else in our walk with Christ, there have been many teaching moments. However, I know the more we grow in our relationship with Him the sweeter it becomes. I’m glad you were encouraged!
Great post, Sheila. I too am having a difficult season. And I’m not sure how long it will last. Tired from a minor physical ailment–but tired from some emotional distress and loss too. Thanks for ministering. And here’s a toast to lemonade!
Hi, Nancy!
I am so sorry you are having a difficult season too. It is true we never know how long a season is going to last, but we can trust that God is with us in every second of our difficult season. I ‘m praying for you today and asking God to pour His sweetness over you!
I love how you mention the consistency of God in the midst of ever-changing circumstances. Knowing that God does not change and His love for me does not change helps me get through difficult times. Thanks for sharing!
Hi, Alicia!
Isn’t it a beautiful thing to know God’s love never changes? His consistency does provide a firm foundation that no matter what the world throws at us, we are safe in the arms of our loving God.
This is the sweetest post! I’m definitely in a season of waiting and trusting that God is working behind closed doors, so your words touched my heart. Thanks for this special message!
Hi, Sydney!
Thank You for your sweet words! I can promise you God is ALWAYS working for us in every season. I have to be honest and say there are times I have questioned Him, but that is the beautiful thing about God, He loves our true feelings no matter what they are! Blessings as you listen, trust and wait!
This is a great post and a great reminder and encouragement to me! Man, it can be so easy to be distracted from the things that matter!
Hi, Mary!
You are right we can be so easily distracted from the things that matter. Life is precious and I admit I have taken things for granted in the past including my need for God until life starting going sour! Thanks for your encouragement!
Great message, Sheila. And I that passage telling us to listen to the Lord who created us. Duh. It does make common sense that our Creator is the perfect place to find wisdom and to listen to what He says.
And I’m so glad He calls us by name and knows us intimately.
So sorry to hear about your mom and praying over your surgery.
Hi, Karen!
It seems like something so easy shouldn’t be so hard to do…right? But, it is, and I’m convinced it is because of the ground clutter of everyday life all around us. The enemy loves to keep us so busy thinking about all the what if’s instead of allowing ourselves the peace and wisdom of God. It indeed is a blessing from God that He knows us so intimately! Thank You for your kind words.
This is a wonderful truth and if we miss it, we thirst but drink only lemon juice. I especially like: “In difficult times it is important to remind ourselves through the promise of His Word that we are not abandoned by God. The enemy loves to whisper lies. That is why it is so important we know the truth.” Thank you for this encouragement and for sharing your lemonade with us. God bless you in the coming months.
Hi, Stephen!
Thank You for your words! Yes! Jesus is our Living Water, and it flows fresh every second of the day, but we do have to be willing to drink from the well. It is ourselves who tend to isolate ourselves only to fall prey to the enemy. I’m thankful God never abandons us. God’s love and truth are never bitter, sour or tasteless., but sweet to the soul. Thank You for your kind words.
Love this post, so encouraging! Thanks for sharing!
Hi, Jessica!
I’m glad that I could encourage you today! God’s love is sweet everyday!
You had a heart attack? Sheesh! That must have been scary! I am thinking you’re okay now, although you didn’t mention how you are doing physically. You do a great job showing how you are doing spiritually, though, and that is awesome! I totally agree about taking our circumtances captive to God’s goodness. We must do this because life is hard – a lot. So yeah, get your lemonaide juicer out, squeeze those “pucker-uppers”, douse it with some sweetness of the Lord, and voila—not so hard to swallow after all.
Hi, Lisa!
Yes! I did have a heart attack! I wasn’t scared. I thought maybe it was an anxiety attack, I never had one of those either, so I drove myself to the hospital. Apparently, I had a heart attack when I was a kid too but never knew it until I was an adult. The cool thing is my heart rewired itself, and it looks just like a cross in my heart. The doctor was amazed, and so was I. All the times I thought God didn’t care about me was shot out the window because I have proof! I’m doing much better and thanks for asking! I’m raising my glass with you!
It can be so easy to get bogged down in the struggles and forget who we belong to and everything is just temporary. I love the verses you chose, Isaiah 43:1-2. Such a perfect reminder for when we are struggling with a season we are in. I think I will print that verse and put it on my mirror to remind me daily. Thanks
Hi, Yvonne!
I think it is great to have reminders in front of us to remind us of God’s goodness too! You are right it can be easy to get bogged down, but it is so important to remember everything is temporary. Thanks for your insight!
Dear Sheila!
Thank you for sharing your ups and downs here, Sheila. I was encouraged by your post.
One of the best advises I’ve heard of to handling difficult situations in life, and to get things done when I don’t feel like it, is just to show up, every day, day in and day out.
With love!
Edna Davidsen
HI, Edna!
I’m happy you were encouraged by my post! I love your advice because if we don’t show up nothing will get done. 🙂
Yeah; and if we think about it, many people stop to show up after a while, and they don’t follow up on their work.
I’ll never see lemonade the same! Thank you for this wonderful reminder that God’s love is constant, regardless of what we think our circumstance might tell us.
Hi, Valerie!
I’m delighted that God gives us visual learning that reaches far and wide. I’m glad you love the sweetness of God too!
How we choose to handle our situations reflects our testimony for God! Absolutely love that. Thank you for sharing over at Grace & Truth Link Up!
Hi, Timberley!
Thank You for your kind words and I pray that our words always reflect His goodness!
Thanks for reminding us that seasons don’t last. This hard season won’t always be here.
Love the scriptures you used, especially Isaiah 43:1-2. I stand on those verses all. the. time.
This is a great reminder of God’s love and consistency. Life is definitely easier to handle when we look to Him for comfort and strength.
Hi, Jerralea!
I am thankful the seasons change. It gives me a different perspective on God’s love every time! I love that His word never changes and His promises remain true!
Hi, Shani!
Jesus makes everything better! When we can view this life through His eyes, the world indeed becomes a better place.
Love this quote: ““God will sometimes allow things to get bad enough that we will be forced to look up. Victory always begins with a cry for help. When we come to the end of ourselves and cry out for help, amazing things will happen.”
Yes, better to make lemonade than something else. Praying for your surgery.
Thank you for sharing with Grace & Truth Christian Link-Up.