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There is a proverb in South Indian language Tamil which means that the advice of the elders is bitter in the beginning and sweet in the end. It tastes like the alma or gooseberry which tastes bitter in the beginning but after sometime it automatically tastes sweet in our mouth. The experienced advice of the elders are hard and bitter for our acceptance but when we realize the good that it brings we realize its sweetness.
Bitter Experiences
It is impossible to pass through life without experiencing bitter times when we cannot see our way through a deep valley. Times when the package delivered at the back door comes delivered in the ugly wrapping of death or affliction or illness or even divorce, as John Selden , the British jurist and scholar describes it even more bluntly, we feel it extremely bitter. But we are unable to digest his further explanation, “Pleasure is nothing else but the intermission of pain or bitterness.”
Jesus Prayed to Remove the Bitter Cup
Jesus, before his passion, was well aware of his sufferings and that is why he prays, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”(Matthew 26: 42) Jesus faced his suffering and prayed God to remove the bitter cup; but he submitted himself to the will of God. It is the case with all of us in every suffering and trial that we face. When we have pain and privation we feel the bitterness of life. Our face becomes hard and gloomy.
Joys Are Sweet
When we come across joy, we find it sweet and our face smiles. Our heart becomes light and merry. Perhaps we might have found that the answers for our prayers have come beautifully and deliberately. We are swept away in our sweet delight.
Bitter and Sweet Is Our Life
Our life is full of bitter and sweet experiences. Everything is temporary and transient. When we find it sweeter we should realize that it is quite possible that we are caught in the grip of affliction. We may be going through some hardest days of our life. We may be wondering- WHY? WHY ME? WHY THIS BITTERNESS?
Walk Through Both Bitter and Sweet, Holding the Hand of God
When we persevere though our bitterness, God gives us a special measure of insight. We become the recipient of the favor of God as He gives to us something that would not be learned otherwise.
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