“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
Romans 5:3-4 

 

I love lemons.

 

 

I don’t know if it’s the bright color that puts me in a cheerful mood.

 

 

Or that clean smell that reminds me of everything organized and disinfected.

Or the taste of lemon in sweet tea or water that takes it from something boring to something snazzy.

But whatever the reason, I love lemons.

There is an old saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Sometimes we see the surface meaning behind this phrase, but do we see the deeper interpretation?

Lemons can be sour, but add some sugar and some water and they can make something delicious. In the same way, bad things in our lives can be used for the good when God makes something tasty out of something sour.

Romans 5: 3-4 deals with three main attributes we should possess as Christians: perseverance, Godly character and hope. Now, the only way to learn to persevere is to endure suffering. We don’t persevere through things we enjoy right? We enjoy them. We indulge in them. We savor them.

When was the last time I persevered through a bowl of brownies and ice cream?

I love me some brownies and ice cream.

But you know something I do have to persevere through sometimes? Eating my veggies. Drinking water.

I don’t always find joy in these things, but ultimately I know they will bring good.

Sometimes we have to suffer in order to learn to persevere.

Perseverance brings character. What kind of character? Godly character. Anyone can have good character, but who do you know that has Godly character? There is a big difference and the answer is holiness and a humble heart.

God reminded me of something recently.

I was sitting down having a pity party for myself, as all of us do, and He simply said, “Remember when…”

He then took me back to a place when my life looked very different.

I had just left my marriage and with it darkness of addiction. My world had been turned completely upside down. I was living with my parents, and needed a job. My future was as uncertain as it had ever been and God provided.

He simply said, “If I provided for you then, what makes you think I won’t provide for you now?”

I had to repent of not trusting.

God isn’t surprised when we doubt. If He didn’t know the frailty of the human mind and heart, He wouldn’t have sacrificed Himself. God is big enough to handle our doubts, anger, pain and struggle. But, we don’t have to constantly live in an attitude of defeat, because the war has already been won.

I’ve heard it said, “We don’t fight for victory, we fight from victory.”

Even in my lowest valleys, I still fight with God from the mountaintop.

And that my friends is why our lemons shouldn’t sour us. Add some sugar and water and treat yo self!

Cuz not today satan, not today.

I hope you all have a great day and that those sour lemons turn a little sweet.
You are loved.
You are valued.
You are useful.