When Life Gives You Lemons

           I can’t believe another month has passed. It’s amazing how quickly time can go even if you are not necessarily having fun. I’ll be honest, I have not had a good week. I had to work 6 days in a row, I have had allergy and congestion problems the entire time, and we were short-handed at work with two people gone on vacation. I guess it’s no wonder that I’ve stayed sick, since I have not had a chance to rest and recuperate. I try not to complain, because I know that God is always with me, but there were moments when I just wanted to give up. As Christians, we are not promised a life full of perfect days, in fact the Bible states the opposite:

“We sent Timothy…to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them.” (1 Thessalonians 3:2-3)

“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:6-7)

The sad thing is that my “trials” and the “trials” of many Christian Americans today are nowhere near as troubling as what the early Christians had to go through. Currently, we have it easy in comparison, although, I’m afraid a time will soon come when we too will suffer persecution for our faith. Regardless, there is no reason to grumble and complain about any circumstances. Paul and Silas sang praises when they were chained up in prison, Jesus slept through a storm at sea, Esther stood up to her fears, and there are so many other examples of how God’s people have overcome their situations and fully relied on faith in God. So, instead of focusing on your current surroundings, focus on finding God in the midst of it all. Some people find peace in the beauty of nature, some through hymns, and all of us should find it through the promises of God’s Word; just allow God into your mind and heart and let Him fill you with His joy. Even when I find myself surrounded by noise and people, I still pray silently for His strength and peace.

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 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.” (James 1”2-4)

Remember that God works through your trials to help you learn and grow. Don’t focus on circumstances, look instead at what God is doing with your life and how you can use what you have learned to help others.