I love espresso. But that’s to be expected. I’ve lived in Italy 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 with no problems.
But rather a faith that sees above and beyond problems and trials. That remembers and believes that the Lord promises to help us in all of them. And realizes that it’s often our worst trials that do us the greatest good.
Espresso coffee so strong and special because of how it’s made. And God, by allowing troubles and trials in our lives, puts our faith through a simular procedure. Brewing it until it becomes good, strong, energizing, and refreshing – just like espresso!
God allows troubles and trials in our lives because they brew our faith to become strong, energizing, and refreshing – just like espresso!
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Faith under pressure
To make and enjoy a good espresso, first the beans must be put through a slow roasting process to give them a strong, rich flavor. Then the coffee grounds get pressed down thoroughly into the pot’s filter. The water is then forcibly pressed-out through the grounds under high pressure. Until finally the finished savory coffee gets poured out to restore and refresh us.
Life’s trials and troubles put our faith through a similar process, brewing our faith until it becomes strong and sure.
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 as a sacrifice of service to help this world under pressure.
- POURED OUT as a love offering to Christ.
I love espresso and fully enjoy savoring its great benefits. But even more, by embracing trials, I want to brew a strong espresso-like faith!
And 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 savory, fragrant offering to the Lord: Espresso-strength faith!
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
James 1:2-4 NLT
IMAGES: Espress & Bible by Kelly Sikkema.
Signora Sheila 
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.
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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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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.
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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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Love it, love it. Thank you! Your word from God, is surely strong brewed.
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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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I take my expresso in a cappuccino (!) but the process is still the same. What a delicious analogy you created, Sheila!
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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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This is an amazing illustration. Filled with so much truth. Life can be difficult, but with God it will be worth it all.
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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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Thanks for the suggestion!
Here is the little story I was telling you about https://www.heavensinspirations.com/silversmith.html 🙂
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Thanks! That’s good. God’s refining fire; a sign of God’s love!
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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
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Thanks Karen. Isn’t it amazing how the Lord can be found everywhere? Blessed Palm Sunday to you too!
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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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