Most of us are familiar with this phrase coined by Elbert Hubbard, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” We think of life’s difficulties and struggles as a sour experience, but add a little sugar and positive-thinking, and we turn it into a sweet lemonade. These trite expressions are meant to turn our focus to our own ability to get through whatever difficulties come our way. They can certainly have their place— when our car gets a flat tire or our flight is canceled or any of a number of inconveniences we may encounter. Having a positive attitude is always a plus in life. And we can often muster up what is needed when these inconveniences encroach on us.
But there are those times in life when much heavier matters press down upon us for which we have no answers or solutions. The weight can feel so oppressive and overwhelming, and we can feel ourselves begin to sink under. We find ourselves treading water with a fervency that cannot be sustained indefinitely. Before we know it, we are gasping for air as the waves crash over our heads. We begin to choke as we swallow the water, panic seizes us as our heartbeat races and our thoughts run wild as we project the worst case scenario. What are we gonna do?
These are the pivotal moments for people of faith. It’s the time to breathe deeply, intentionally, not shallow gasps. These are the times when we need to capture our thoughts and float on the promises of God. These promises provide the buoyancy to sustain us until our rescue arrives. The problem is— we have these feelings— emotions that are so powerful and often so difficult to control. We fear the uncertainty of outcomes, the reality that we have no control, the dashing of all of our hopes as they drift out to sea.
This is exactly where the enemy of our souls wants us. Don’t be deceived, our spiritual adversary has an abundance of strategies in his toolbox and he is quick to use them. His sharp, accurate arrows aim for our minds to pierce our thoughts with confusion and doubt. The horrific sting is meant to be so, taking us down is the goal, drowning us in our perceptions. This is spiritual warfare. It is not for the faint-hearted—which we all are in these circumstances.
But the promises…
“Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:10-17 NLT
“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!” Psalms 43:5
“The ropes of death entangled me; floods of destruction swept over me. The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death laid a trap in my path. But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears…He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me.”
Psalms 18:4-6;19
Lemonade’s self-reliance approach sounds good in the abstract but just doesn’t cut it in the deeply painful, white-knuckle seasons of life. Enjoy the lemonade but cling to the promises.
