“If life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” is a quote used by many people in our society, including those who shut God out of their lives. When most people use this quote, it means, “Make the best of a bad situation, be creative, stay positive and try hard.” It is good advice, as far as it goes, but it falls far short of solving our most important problems.
Here’s an interesting verse from the Proverbs: “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” Proverbs 17:22 (NIV). God knows a cheerful heart can make us feel better when we are sick. This is why placebos (fake drugs used in drug testing studies) often have some effect, but they ultimately don’t cure disease. God knows we need Him. Spiritually speaking, the world has only placebos. God has the only cure. He offers the cure freely to all. Jesus said, “So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him” Luke 11:13 (NLT). The world stubbornly may resist the Holy Spirit, but God loves the world: “Out of the fullness of his grace he has blessed us all, giving us one blessing after another” John 1:16 (GNT).
So, how can we make lemonade? Here are three clear verses that you can put into practice to make your life sweeter no matter how sour your present circumstances may be.
- Sing praise and give thanks: “Be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” Ephesians 5:18-20 (NLT).
- The Word of God is meant to root us in God’s love: “Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness” Colossians 2:7 (NLT).
- Positive thinking is good—this is how God says to do it: “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you” Philippians 4:8-9 (NLT).
Let the Holy Spirit fill our hearts and God’s sweetness will overflow in our lives and to others causing joyful praise and thanksgiving to God in any circumstance.