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Faith

A Faith Strong Like Espresso

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 being fast and easy, because a life of real faith is never a life free from problems.

But rather a faith that sees 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 do us the greatest good.

Espresso coffee is so strong and special because of how it’s made. And God puts our faith through a similar process as he allows troubles 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!

Faith under pressure

An excellent espresso starts with slow-roasted coffee beans. That slow roasting process creates espresso’s typical strong, rich flavor. Next, ground coffee gets pressed down into the pot’s filter. Then water passes through it under high pressure. After this, the fragrant coffee is poured out for a refreshing and revitalizing experience.

Life’s trials and troubles put our faith through a similar process. Brewing our faith until it becomes sure and strong, refreshing all who come into contact with it.

A faith that is strong like espresso!

A faith that is:

  • ROASTED through trials until it’s rich and strong.
  • PRESSED-DOWN on every side, yet 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 strong like espresso!

And how about you? Do you want a faith that is so strong that it can withstand any trial, and then continue on to strengthen others? A faith that becomes a savory, fragrant offering to the Lord: espresso-strength faith!

Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

James 1:2-4 CSB

Images: Bible & coffee by Stock Snap | Coffee by Annie Spratt.

19 replies on “A Faith Strong Like Espresso”

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!!

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CafĂ© 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 cafĂ© expresso, that He puts at our table.

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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!!

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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.

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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!

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Thank you Charmaine. I’m blessed that you find it so, and pray that others may always find encouragement and inspiration here!

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Thanks Nancy. It always amazes me how we can find spiritual analogies all around us. The Lord is everywhere and in everything!

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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 🙂

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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!

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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!

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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!

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