Squeezing Faith from Lemons

The lemon tree I received at Howard's funeral produced a lemon several months after his funeral. It now lives in my Dad's greenhouse!

Everyone seems to know my love of lemons and my desire to live life at a virtual lemonade stand, I received two handcrafted lemons for Christmas. One of these crocheted lemons is in my kitchen window and the other is on my desk at work.

They are a good reminder that lemons come from all directions. Home, work, vacations, fun times or bad--it doesn't matter where we are or what we are doing. The one constant seeking to capture our attention is the trouble that always seems to be around every corner.

When we finally understand that life's challenges are real but not insurmountable, we gain hope. This perspective reminds us that we have the potential to be more than conquerors through Christ. Some want to stop at 'conquerors' period. We are ridiculously conceited if we believe that we are the secret sauce in our lemonade. Do you know what we are? We are the mixer. We are given some ingredients, but the rest we choose and then, we shake it up.

People say that time takes care of all things, but does time really take care of all things? I don't think so. Time leads us through a natural cycle of life, but it is what we do with the time that really brings sweetness out of the worst moments of life. The life cycle of a lemon in pictures might look like this:

Did you know that lemons are green before they are yellow? We must always look beyond the trouble to the result that will be gained at the end. "That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are[a] being renewed every day.  For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!" | 2 Corinthians 4:16-17

If we give up, then the lemon never loses its sourness and eventually, it is good for nothing. Man can make penicillin out of a moldy piece of bread but NOT out of a moldy lemon.

It's true that you can make homemade penicillin out of bread. I wonder how much time and money that research cost. Never limit the possibility on your own understanding. Understand God is able to do more than we can imagine; the most impossible is often God's best display of His power.

Life often hands us lemons—challenges, setbacks, or moments of doubt—but with faith and a positive outlook, we can transform them into something refreshing, like a glass of lemonade. The Bible offers timeless wisdom on how to embrace this mindset, trusting God to guide us as we squeeze every drop of goodness from life’s trials.

In Philippians 4:13, Paul declares, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". Again, notice where the sentence ends. It is not, 'I can do all things.'; it is I can do all things THROUGH CHRIST. This verse reminds us that no lemon is too sour when we rely on God’s strength. Just as a lemon’s tartness can be sweetened with sugar and water, our struggles can be transformed through faith and perseverance. When life feels overwhelming, we’re not alone—God equips us to face every challenge and turn it into an opportunity.

My Crocheted Lemon | I may be a tiny lemon, but I believe in you. Go do your thing! | This whimsical quote captures a powerful truth: even the smallest spark of encouragement can inspire greatness.

Consider the story of Joseph in Genesis 37-50. Sold into slavery and imprisoned, Joseph faced a bushel of lemons. Yet, he didn’t let bitterness consume him. Instead, he trusted God’s plan, rising to become a leader in Egypt. In Genesis 50:20, he tells his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.” Joseph’s life shows us that God can take our sourest moments and create something life-giving, much like turning lemons into lemonade.

Making lemonade requires action—squeezing, mixing, and stirring. Similarly, Romans 12:2 urges us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” A positive mindset doesn’t happen passively; it’s a choice to focus on God’s promises. When we renew our thoughts, we see possibilities where others see obstacles. That tiny lemon cheering us on? It’s a reminder to keep going, trusting that God is working all things together for good (Romans 8:28).

Jesus Himself modeled this transformative attitude. In John 16:33, He says, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Life’s lemons—whether rejection, loss, or failure—don’t have the final word. Christ’s victory gives us hope to press forward. When we face a sour situation, we can respond with faith, knowing that Jesus has already paved the way for triumph.

So, how do we make lemonade in our daily lives? Start with gratitude. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 instructs, “Give thanks in [not for] all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Gratitude is the sugar that sweetens our perspective. Next, act in faith—step out, trusting God to guide you. Finally, encourage others. Like the tiny lemon in the quote, a kind word can inspire someone to “go do their thing.”

Life’s lemons are inevitable, but they’re also opportunities. With God’s help, we can turn trials into testimonies, setbacks into setups for success. So, grab those lemons, squeeze them with faith, and serve up some lemonade that refreshes your soul and glorifies God.

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http://bible.com/r/6q5 

This is one of the best online devotions I have read. It's from a ministry called, Healing Strong, which is a nonprofit organization ministering to people with cancer and disabilities. It is so, so good. No matter what lemon you are squeezing right now; I guarantee you will find some sweetness to add to your recipe.