Lemons for Lemonade

Philippians 4:10-13 – But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

1. Throughout our lives, there will be many ‘lemons’ that come our way. The lemons may represent sour relationships, troubling finances, difficult bosses, etc. Maybe we’re impatient with our current situation. We’re in one location and want to be in another. We’re up, when we want to be down…then when we get down, we wished we were up again. We want hot to cold, cold to hot. What we have never seems to be enough.

2. Learning contentment. Often the situations we encounter are to help others in need, testify to others about the goodness and deliverance of God, and to continually perfect and shape us in the image of Jesus (Romans 8:29; James 1:2-4).

While in prison, Paul wrote to the Philippians about the care he received from them. For many prisons in his day, food and support only came through outside sources. If you did not have any support, you didn’t receive any from the ruling government. As he rejoiced, Paul states how he learned how to be content with whatever state he found himself. Regardless of what he may experience, he learned that it is Christ that can strengthen him to do all things.

3. The alternative to complaining. Instead of complaining, we can go to the Lord and learn how to be content in the midst of our situations. Sometimes we need a change of perspective, to receive a word from God in prayer, or an encouraging (or correcting) word from a friend. As our contentment grows, so will our thankfulness and commitment to godliness (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Philippians 4:4-8 – Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

^{Photo courtesy of Flickr.com/vintagechica. Image covered under Creative Commons License.}