The Bitter with the Sweet

One of my favorite drinks from a popular coffee chain is an iced caramel macchiato. It has distinct layers–vanilla syrup, frothy milk, espresso and caramel–giving the consumer a unique flavor experience. Upon receiving the beautiful drink, the layers are sharply visible presenting the all-important decision:  to mix or not to mix?

I like to sip for a while, tasting the bitter layer of espresso with a hint of sweetness at the end. This drives my husband crazy, who would rather mix it all up from the get go. The anticipation and joy of waiting to mix it all together is one of the aspects I so enjoy about the drink.

Tastebuds aside, there is something about going through bitter circumstances, with the hope and anticipation of something sweeter ahead.

David writes in Psalm 30 “Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning” (30:4-5). Whether our bitter circumstances are from consequences of our own doing or simply because we live in a broken world, we can know that our trials are temporary and will one day end in sweet fellowship with God for all eternity.

The wonderful news is that we don’t have to wait until heaven to experience joy today. Like my husband, we can “mix it up” allowing the good promises from God’s Word to shape our attitudes and circumstances–taking the bitter with the sweet.

We can do this by turning to Jesus in prayer, and cast all our anxieties on Him. Then, we thank Him for His promises that come to fruition in His timing. This is how we can have joy even in the midst of tears.

So, however you prefer to drink a caramel macchiato, let it be a reminder that our life in this broken world is short, and though the bitter may last for a while, the sweet will come. Through prayer and God’s grace, we can taste it even today.

Feel free to pray with me:

Dear Jesus, thank You for the precious promise that comes from following You, that I will spend eternity with You in heaven. Thank You that I can come to You in my bitter circumstances of life and receive hope of sweeter times ahead. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may choose joy even in the midst of tears. In Your Name I pray, Amen.