I love espresso. But that’s normal. I’ve lived in Italy for over 30 years! But what I really want is an espresso faith! Not in the sense of quick and easy, because a life of true faith is never a life without problems.
But rather a faith that looks above and beyond problems and trials. Remembering and believing that the Lord will help us in all circumstances. And realizing that often our most difficult trials will bring us the greatest good.
Espresso coffee is so strong and special because of the way it’s made. And God puts our faith through a similar process when He allows difficulties and trials in our lives. A brewing process that makes it rich and strong, energizing, and refreshing. Just like espresso!
God allows troubles and trials in our lives. Because they brew our faith to make it strong, energizing, and refreshing – just like espresso!
Signora Sheila
Faith under pressure
An excellent espresso begins with slow-roasted coffee beans. This slow roasting process creates the strong, rich flavor of espresso. Next, the ground coffee is pressed into the filter. Water is then passed through the filter under high pressure. Finally, the fragrant coffee is poured out for a refreshing and invigorating experience.
The trials and troubles of life put our faith through a similar process. Our faith is brewed until it is sure and strong, refreshing all who come in contact with it.
A faith as strong as espresso!
A faith that is:
- ROASTED through trials until it’s rich and strong.
- PRESSED-DOWN on all sides, but never in despair.
- PRESSED-OUT in service to help this world under pressure.
- POURED OUT as a love offering to Christ.
I love espresso and appreciate its benefits. But even more, by embracing trials, I want to brew a faith that is as strong as espresso!
How about you? Do you want a faith that is so strong that it can withstand any trial, and then go on to strengthen others? A faith that becomes a tasty, fragrant offering to the Lord: espresso-strength faith!
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4
📷 Image credits: Bible & coffee; coffee.
Awesome article Sheila! I still can’t drink espresso, but yes I see how God has been in the process of brewing my faith. Blessings my sister.
Espsresso isn’t for everyone. It took me a while to adjust to drinking it in the beginning. But now, I feel like there is no other coffee!! But the main thing, no matter if we like espresso or not, is that God really is brewing our faith! To me, that is an awesome thought. It’s not all up to us…we have him constantly working in our lives!!
Café expresso, is something I have tried off and on at Brazilian restaurants. It sometimes works with one of their super sweet deserts. My favorite is mousse de maracujá (Passion fruit mousse. In the same way, the sweetness of God’s presence in times of trial, helps us drink down the strong rich cup of café expresso, that He puts at our table.
Hmmm, Passion fruit mousse…I’d love to try it!! And you’re so right. The sweetness of God’s presence during trials does help us bear the bitterness that often comes with trials. How good he is!!
Read this again and loved it. The hot water of life can feel daunting–it can burn! But allowing God to use it to make us richer, more flavorful for His glory is what I want to be, how I want to live. Thanks for the reminder, my friend.
Ha, I like that Dayle…the hot water of life can be daunting. That’s a great way to put it! And oh yes, to hve a flavorful faith that is both rich and strong!
Love it, love it. Thank you! Your word from God, is surely strong brewed.
Thank you Charmaine. I’m blessed that you find it so, and pray that others may always find encouragement and inspiration here!
I take my expresso in a cappuccino (!) but the process is still the same. What a delicious analogy you created, Sheila!
Thanks Nancy. It always amazes me how we can find spiritual analogies all around us. The Lord is everywhere and in everything!
This is an amazing illustration. Filled with so much truth. Life can be difficult, but with God it will be worth it all.
Have you read about a group of women who wanted to know how silver is refined related to how God refines us? This very much reminds me of that story, and I just read it over again today! I love articles covering processes and how God uses them for our good, so this was an extra blessing today as I was already thinking of this 🙂
No, I haven’t heard of that group, but it sounds good. I think it’s good to reflect and be aware of how and why God refines us. And remember that he always knows what he’s doing!
Thanks for the suggestion!
Here is the little story I was telling you about https://www.heavensinspirations.com/silversmith.html :)
Thanks! That’s good. God’s refining fire; a sign of God’s love!
Sheila, I love this word picture! Thank you for meditating on the Lord as you were enjoying espresso. Counting it all joy! Wishing you a blessed Palm Sunday. Karen
Thanks Karen. Isn’t it amazing how the Lord can be found everywhere? Blessed Palm Sunday to you too!
What an amazing word picture, my friend. The process of making espresso is a perfect picture of how God richly develops our faith through the hard and challenging times of life. Love this! You do know your espresso–and you really do know the richness of faith in Jesus. Thank for this!
Thanks Dayle. It is so wonderful to know that God is always working on making us grow. I’m afraid that if I were just left to do what I prefer, I’d just remain selfish immature me. But he wants so much more for us!! Thank goodness!