HOPE WHEN THINGS SEEM HOPELESS

I'm still alive. I'm still working. And I'm exhausted. I know that it's been awhile since I've posted any lemonade goodness. I've been working like a Hebrew slave trying to fulfil all the tasks of my job, and my level of stress is at an all time high to be honest.

This technology-Zoom-virtual world is a blessing and a curse all in one. Yes, I am thankful that we can still stay connected and interact with people behind computer screens and masks. But I will admit that I really miss how things were before this infamous virus. Who would've thought that it would last this long and have this laundry list of ramifications? And I don't believe that we have gotten to the end of the list yet. This can bring anxiety on so many different levels. But God.

I am reminded of 1 Peter 5:7: "Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." I am so grateful that we serve a God that can handle every bit of our burdens, and the best thing is that He wants to take them because He cares for us that much. He doesn't offer to be our burden bearer because He wants to show off His mighty strength. He does it because of the love that He has for us.

Lemonaders, let's not drown out our feelings about what is going on or how we are feeling. This is a lot to adjust to, and we do not know if this is our new normal or if things will go back to how they were. But do not hang on to your anxiety. You may have to do this day by day, hour by hour, or moment by moment, but let's take up the Lord's offer and cast our anxiety on Him. Throw them like they're hot potatoes! This is so freeing, and the peace that comes with this opens up the opportunity to experience a new dosage of hope.

Still on the struggle team? You are not alone. Here are a few tips that I hope will help you during this time:

1. Be honest about how you really feel about how your life has changed--the good, the bad, and the ugly.

2. Find someone that you can vent and talk to--a trusted friend or family member; a pastor or a professional counselor.

3. Pray and stay in God's Word. This should be a daily thing that you should do anyway. You can talk everything out to the Lord or write out your thoughts and prayers to Him. And make it a priority to find bible verses and scripture passages that will comfort your soul during this chaotic time. Not sure where to start? Here's one of my favorite scriptures:

"Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olives should fail and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls, yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds' feet, and makes me walk on my high places."

--Habakkuk 3:17-19

I miss you, Lemonaders!! And I would love to hear how you are doing.