A Fine Kettle of Fish
Whether we know it or not, we have all probably ended up in a fine kettle of fish. Life gets messy, and we suffer as a result.
A fine kettle of fish means a difficult situation.
It may be:
- Awkward
- Worrisome
- Frustrating
- Puzzling
- Confusing
- Unpleasant
A pretty kettle of fish means the same.
A fine kettle of fish applies to a variety of circumstances.
A few examples include:
- Special plans suddenly fall apart.
- People who dislike one another must work together.
- Car trouble occurs in the middle of a long trip.
- Unexpected bills exceed a family’s ability to pay.
This expression probably originated from a Scottish custom.
According to The Free Dictionary, a riverside picnic was called a kettle of fish. Freshly caught salmon were boiled in a kettle over an open fire. The picnics were messy, because everyone ate out of their hands.
People later applied the expression to other messy situations.
When we end up in a fine kettle of fish, we don’t have to stay there.
Our messes may be blessings in disguise. Look for the opportunities they offer.
When possible, let’s turn our messes into ministry.
We often learn the most from our hardest circumstances. In the process, we:
- Grow stronger.
- Discover new and better ways to live.
- Learn how to help others who encounter similar problems.
“For Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10 NIV).
Image by shumkovpro from Pixabay. Thanks to Laurel Blevins and Karen Hart for the suggestion.
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