Isn’t it great that science has finally given us one sweet excuse for our chocolate obsession? As it turns out, the guilty treat contains real and actual health benefits. Of course, for the least guilt and the most health benefit, you have to choose the dark variety. Life is like dark chocolate – bittersweet. Often if not always, I only want the sweet. But it is actually the bitter that makes me healthy.
No one ever hopes for sorrow. We want life always only to be beautiful, carefree, easy, happy. Yet we know that is not an accurate description of life on Planet Earth. God uses the bitterness of life to produce things in us like endurance. In fact, He’s looking for far more in us than we would ever ask of ourselves.
Just what are we like without the Lord? We are short-sighted. We want what we want and we want it now. Like Esau, we would even trade our birthright (eternal life) for something to satisfy a temporary appetite. You can read Esau’s story in the 25th chapter of Genesis.
Here is an example of encouragement to endure, from the tenth chapter of Hebrews, NASB:
Hebrews 10:32But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings,
33partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated.
34For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one.
35Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.
36For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.
37FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE,
HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY.
38BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH;
AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM.
39But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.
So, enjoy the chocolate, enjoy life – yet keep the bitter with the sweet. Don’t shrink back, don’t cave in, don’t give up. Be grateful for all God has graciously given. But remember this, what we are looking forward to, all that God has in store for us, is far better than anything this temporary world has to offer.
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