If Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade

I like that old saying not only because it is optimistic, but because it is found in the Bible. James says, “My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,” (James 1:2) and Paul says, “We also glory in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3 & 4). It also says in Acts that when the apostles were beaten for their faith, they rejoiced that they were found worthy to suffer for Yeshua’s name. I would call that making some lemonade!

Some people ask why the Father allows suffering (lemons) in our lives. It is my opinion that He gives us lemons to see if we will make lemonade out of them. Deuteronomy 8 says, “And you shall remember that Yehovah your Elohim led you these forty years in the wilderness to humble you and test you, to see what is in your heart, whether you keep His commandments or not…that you may know that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of Yehovah…so that you know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so Yehovah your Elohim chastens you.” Did you hear that? The Father chastens us, as we are His children. He wants to know what is in our heart. When life gives us lemons, we must listen closely to Him and learn what it is that He is trying to teach us. Chances are He will keep giving us lemons until we know how to make the lemonade.

When I hit a hard time in my life, I had to learn all these things. I wondered where the Father was during the sleepless nights and pain-filled days. Do you know where He was during those times? He was right beside me. Do you know what He was doing? He was refining me and making me into a completely different person than I was before. His Word became alive, and I started living on every Word that came from His mouth, as that Scripture says. If you trust Him, those hard times will leave, and when they leave, you will be better than you were before.

Do you want to make some lemonade out of your sour lemons? You can not do it without Him. He knows the recipe!