In Everything Giving Thanks! Lemonade Drinkers for Jesus!

Life can be pretty frustrating at times, wouldn’t you agree? Quite often, we humans suffer from the little thorns and thistles which God foretold of way back in Genesis 17, 18…”Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you,“

.

Now obviously, the Lord was not merely speaking of literal thorns and thistles, but of all the many problems of life, both little and large, which sin would bring with it! And certainly, it’s not difficult at all to observe the fulfillment of this prophecy from Genesis 3:17, 18! No matter where we look, we easily see the countless thorns and thistles of life springing up in every direction!

.

Take for just one little example, going into a fast-food restaurant, and waiting and waiting to order, as if we are invisible to the busy employees who studiously avoid looking at us! Oh yes, it’s a small inconvenience, but it often tempts us to eventually shout for some help. Or maybe when the employee does get around to take our order, we get treated rudely in some way. By now we are ready to storm out in disgust.

.

Well, this is just one tiny example. And no doubt, there are an endless list of examples we could give concerning life’s little lemons which come our way each day. Maybe some family situation. Maybe some work-related issue. There is literally no end to life’s sharp little thorns and thistles which poke us on a daily basis.

.

But the gist of this article is how we might turn the proverbial “lemon into lemonade”. 

.

And so, just how might we turn these negative experiences into beneficial experiences? Yes, how can we turn “lemons into lemonade”?

.

Listen to James 1:3, 4…”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.”

.

Praise God! Here is the solution to the many little thorns and thistles which can and will sting us in this “Thorn & Thistle World”! 

.

Yes, God is purposely allowing problems, both big and little, to come our way as a means of squaring and hewing us into perfectly-cut-and-polished gemstones! And so, instead of allowing all the little disappointments of life to get to us, we can rather determine to learn patience during such tiny tribulations…

.

For example, when we are in a long line waiting and waiting, instead of fuming or complaining, we might rather use the time to pray…or to look up a Bible verse, or merely to be good “Ambassadors for Christ”, treating all who are present with Christlike patience and loving-kindness! (see 2nd Corinthians 5:20 for “Ambassadors” quote)

.

And of course, this same principle can and should be carried into all our dealings, in the home, in the workplace, and in every situation of life! Whether in a potential conflict, discouraging set-back, or any injustice, we can turn these “life’s little lemons into lemonade”!

.

Thus, by so-doing, we will daily grow closer and closer into the likeness of our Lord!

.

And so, this Part 11 of the “In Every Thing Giving Thanks” series, these “little lemons of life” should also be given thanks for, as we allow them to turn us into “Lemonade Drinkers for Jesus!”