The Bitter and Sweet of the Witch’s Brew

They ridicule and name call, but I don't care. I still dapple in the home brews of the herbal world to help our family heal and be stronger. They being this very family I help, but it's all in good fun! Here's why this post about "Witch's Brew" isn't a complete waste of your time!

Sometimes what God provides to make us stronger is actually something that tastes very bitter.  Many herbs are terribly flavored, but the life they offer is astounding. And the method used a lot of times to pull the healing properties from the herb is heat.

Here's where it starts to matter: often the heat in our lives gets turned up hotter than we like as we face things we never expected or wanted. But we do well to realize with the heat comes a drawing out that permeates everything in our lives. 

For the Jesus follower this means we become aware of our lack, our weakness, our need. With the awareness comes a clinging to the surety of God Himself. He opens us to the straining out of all that doesn't matter, all that isn't Him. In His grace, His presence permeates our lives, drawing out the life and sustenance within the bitter.

Through the process, what's contained is a strength that is not our own from the God who has made us His own. The sweetened, smooth liquid streams life through our days, lifting our heads higher, making our steps lighter.

If life tastes any kind of bitter for you today, may you find encouragement in the truth that God is permeating your days for your good and His glory. The sweetened times are still to come.