When Life Gives you Lemons...

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.  It's such a common saying in our culture.  And yet, what if you don't like lemonade?


It's supposed to be an encouraging phrase to redirect your sullen or downcast thoughts to a more positive outlook on life.  It goes along the lines of "look at the bright side" and "the cup is half full". 
But what about those who are stuck in depressive mode?  What do you say to those who are breathing their last breaths?  A very good friend of mine was on her dying bed, when she pulled me up close to her face and asked me, "What do you think Lucy?  Am I gonna make it?"  ...I was speechless.  I mustered the words that only God could have given me to try and provide peace for her anxious heart at that moment..  
And still I know for certain, that using that most popular phrase, "when life gives you lemons..." would not have be reassuring for my friend.


So what is one to do when the lemonade theme is not enough to get us through the day?  What is one to do when everything falls apart?  When there is pain and suffering?  When there is loneliness and death?  You see, life is hard!  No one gets a free and smooth ride.  No one gets to bypass the demands, the turmoil, the stresses, the sorrows.  No one.


And so I say, "when life gives you lemons, look up"!  Turn to God for strength.  That is the only for sure thing I know that will in turn bring true assurance and encouragement.

Psalm 121

 ¹ I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
   where does my help come from?
² My help comes from the LORD,
   the Maker of heaven and earth.

It doesn't promise that you will be free of trouble.  In fact, it accentuates that we will need help.   But real and assuring help comes from  the maker of heaven and earth.