Turning Lemons into Lemonade

It has been said that if “Life gives you a lemon make lemonade out of it.” That’s good counsel but few of us practice it. When trouble comes our way it’s much easier to complain, struggle or just give up. However, I believe the Holy Spirit has been provided to assist us in doing just that—turning negative obstacles into positive outcomes. Bruce Larson in his Commentary on the gospel of Luke tells the story about one of President Franklin Roosevelt’s election campaigns. His campaign manager was about to print three million copies of his acceptance speech with an accompanying photograph. At that point, it was discovered that the photographer had never given his permission for the use of this photograph. According to the copyright laws, you can be fined a dollar per copy for publishing unauthorized photographs, and that’s roughly three million dollars. The campaign manager was in a panic. But instead of wasting time finding out who slipped up, he shouldered the blame and began to think creatively. He immediately cabled the photographer and said, “I have a plan that could mean great publicity for you. What’s it worth to you if I use your photo on this campaign material?” The photographer cabled back, “I can’t afford more than two hundred and fifty dollars.” It was a deal. You might be tempted to attribute this resolution to quick thinking—and maybe it was. In the natural we are able to manage our way through a certain amount of difficulty. Yet, I would like to believe that in the spiritual realm occasions like this are fertile ground for the Holy Spirit to plant wisdom into our lives. Instead on going into the panic mode we have the opportunity pray and then plan according to answers He gives.  Don’t ever feel as if life has to be lived with the grimace of sour circumstances. Take the lemons given, add the sweetness of the Spirit and enjoy the outcome—refreshing energizing lemonade.