This past year and a bit has been (to say the least) challenging for most. It all started like one of those tales you read about of a strange virus in some part of the world. if you’re anything like me, it was one of those worrying pieces of news you hear about but expect to pass as quickly as it came. Rather than passing however, it spread like wildfire and though not everyone experienced the virus, the effects of it spoke and still speaks volumes. 

Sadly, lives were lost, businesses packed up, jobs cut and lost, strains on family relationships, illnesses… the list goes on.

Some people have given up any hope of a better tomorrow due to the sheer weight and pressure of today, others dare to hope but with much trepidation. Nevertheless, on the flip side, there are also those who in the midst of all this are flourishing.

You may find yourself in any one of these categories—or one not mentioned—with a big question: what now?

Well. I say it’s time to MAKE SOME LEMONADE.

Lemonade making in a time of crisis and confusion? Yes. When confronted with so much sourness and so many bitter experiences, you have the choice to either make something good out of it or let the sour experiences consume you.

Who would have thought that something as bitter and sour as a lemon could produce a drink as refreshing as Lemonade? Consider the losses, pain, discouragement, and all others not mentioned as lemons. The confusion, the hurt, the sickness… lemons.

A key ingredient in making Lemonade, apart from the lemons, is WATER. Lots  of it.

John chapter 4 and verse 14 says:

“…but if anyone drinks the living water I give them, they will never thirst again and will be forever satisfied! For when you drink the water, I give you it becomes a gushing fountain of the Holy Spirit, springing up and flooding you with endless life!”

This is the time to turn to the word of God which is the water of life. As you take in the word of God, life flows out from you. The solution you need for the way forward is in God’s word. There is wisdom and direction in God’s word. There is strength and hope in God’s word. This is the water you need for the lemons stacked up against you. The world’s system cannot give hope. They lack the ability to. Hope comes from the knowledge of the truth that your present limitation is not your reality. While the world focuses on what it sees and hears which are all temporal , The word of  God teaches to focus on the unseen ( by the physical eyes, yet very real ) which is eternal.

Your next ingredient is sugar or sweeteners. This is the time to stop listening to all the negative reports and news around and start focusing on testimonies and praise reports. Check yourself. Whatever you listen to or see, ask yourself: is this uplifting OR is this discouraging? If it is discouraging, then discard it. If it is uplifting, then carry-on!

Philippians 4:8 puts it this way:

“So, keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honourable, and admirable, beautiful, and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always.”

This is the secret to sweetness even when surrounded by lemons. THINK OF EVERY GLORIOUS WORK OF GOD. The final ingredient but in no way the least is ICE. Ice is water in another form; put into cubes and frozen. You have to work the word of God. THE word you take in has to be applied to produce results. WORK THE WORD BECAUSE THE WORD WORKS!