How I Make Lemonade out of Lemons...

1.) Surround Myself With Positive, Loving People

Friends and family who truly know me and what I am about. People who have mutually shared their heart with me and I with them. They know my soul. Thus they can help feed it and bring out the best in me. I am blessed to have people like this in my life!

2.) Thankfulness & Praise

It is in the midst of chaos and trials that we truly appreciate what we have. Here is what God has revealed to me today to be thankful for...

I have a loving and supportive husband. He truly is my knight in shinning armor. (Cheesy!) Okay maybe not in shinning armor but he does do battle for our family. Both spiritually thru prayer and physically, thru support and words.
Every young lady deserves a man who will fight for her, alongside her and when necessary be the commander of the army. Please don't settle for anything less and when you're dating... put the boy to the test. He should be pursuing you and fighting for your hand in marriage. Nick did this, and God has blessed me with a man who won't back down.

I have a beautiful little girl who daily laughs and giggles with me. She is a testament that comfort does not always come in words but sometimes comes in just being present. At times I have not comforted others because I feared I didn't know what to say. Shame on me... God could have just used my presence for their strength.

Two people who have been through amazing storms. They chose to praise God in the midst and see Him work in amazing ways. If God gives them the strength & power to endure, than I can too.

3.) Daily Pour into Good Books

When life throws us lemons, God views it as a test of faith. Satan seeks to use it as temptation to bring us into despair, discouragement, depression, etc. All to say that there is a daily battle of my spirit and my mind. Will I choose to rejoice always?

There is no better way to do battle than by making sure I am prepared and equipped. So each day I HAVE to put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:11) or else I can fall into fear, anxiety, or discouragement. I equip myself by reading the bible daily. Personally I like to dig in and study it. I use Jon Courson's commentary and my fancy IPad app to read different translations. I also listen to sermons.

Few favorite pastors:
Mark Driscoll at Mars Hill Church www.marshillchurch.org
Brett Meador at Athey Creek Christian Fellowship www.atheycreek.com
Jon Courson at Applegate Christian Fellowship www.joncourson.com
Wesley Towne at Ekklesia www.ekklesiaeugene.org

4.) Hold on to and Grasp for Myself God's Promises

This is another way to do battle. I have experienced the benefits of praying God's word and specifically his promises. I attempt to not pray with words like, "God I hope and pray you'll do..." or "God if it is your will, please...." No, I am working on praying with faith and conviction. There are certain things God promises He will do. There are times in the bible when He does tell us His will. I choose to pray to him and remind him of what He says He will do. He has to follow thru on His word and He will. The question is... do I believe he will?

Philippians 4:4-8 - "Be joyful Always... Do not be anxious about anything... Just pray...and GOD WILL GIVE YOU PEACE that transcends all understanding."
Jeremiah 29:11 - "God knows our plans and they are to see us prosper, to give us a future and a hope."
Romans 8:28 - "For WE KNOW that all things work for the good.."
1 Corinthians 10:13 - "No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it. "
Matthew 11:28-30 - "Come to me all who are wear and heavy, and I will give you rest"
Philippians 1:6 - "He who began a good work in you, will carry in to completion"
Nehemiah 8:10 - "The Joy of the Lord is your strength"

There are also times when God is silent about His will. It is than that I can pray,
"Not my will but thy will be done."

5.) "The Best Way to Cheer Yourself Up, is to Cheer Someone Else Up." - Mark Twain

Blessed are those who are persecuted and put to the test. Yes, we can acknowledge that it sucks, but having faith in God is saying "I am blessed for having to go through this." So don't seek to "feel sorry" in a way that slanders God's plan, but seek to cheer someone up by reassuring them of God's promises!

^"12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." James 1:12

^"13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats^[a]; do not be frightened.”^{[b] 15} But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. 1 Peter 3:13-15