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Making Lemonade from Lemons
Read: Philippians 1:12-26
“When life hands you lemons – you make lemonade.” This is an ageless proverb intended to encourage those who find themselves in the midst of difficult or trying circumstances.
How often have you let a difficult situation get you down or ruin your day? Have you ever thought about how it could be used for good? We all experience difficult life circumstances but the key is how we deal with them. It’s been said that life is 10% your circumstances and 90% your attitude. A study at Harvard University showed that 85% of the reasons for accomplishments, success and promotions was a result of peoples’ attitudes and 15% was because of their technical expertise. Attitude made all the difference. Try looking for how your difficult circumstances could be used for good. God may be using this in your life to grow, refine or perfect you or He may use it to minister to others. God’s plan is bigger than ours and He sees life’s bigger picture. He knows what’s best for you and He loves you. Give your difficult circumstances to Him and pray that He, with His mighty power, would somehow use it for good and to continue to mold you into His perfect image.
Paul saw the good in the midst of very difficult circumstances. He was imprisoned in Rome while writing to the Philippians and was rejoicing in the fact that what happened to him had served to advance the gospel. People knew he was in chains for Christ, and because of his situation other believers were encouraged to share their faith more boldly and courageously. Although he was chained in a Roman prison, he didn’t dwell on his situation or wallow in self pity. Instead, he rejoiced that the gospel was being preached. He knew that when his trial came it would result either in his release or execution, but he maintained a good attitude and focused on the positive. He continued to rejoice over the prayers of the believers on his behalf and the help the Holy Spirit would bring to him. Paul’s entire focus was not on having an easy or comfortable life, but on glorifying Christ in all circumstances.
“It is not your aptitude, but your attitude, that determines your altitude.” Zig Ziglar
“Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens.” John Homer Miller
Reflect: Read Philippians 1:12-26 again and reflect on the following questions:
- What are some difficult or trying situations you’re going through right now? How can you take these lemons of life and use them to make lemonade? Invite God into your situation and ask him to take it and use it for good.
- How is your attitude? Does it need a readjustment? Be intentional to have a positive attitude regardless of your circumstances or the attitudes of those around you.
- Is your focus on your own happiness and comfort or is it on glorifying Christ? How can you re-arrange your priorities to put Christ first?
Remember: Weekly memory verse
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Phil 1:21 - NIV)
Going further- When you find yourself in the midst of a difficult circumstance this week, look for ways in which you can use the situation for good and praise God for how he’s using it to shape you into His image.
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