We all love chocolates but most of us prefer milk or white chocolate over dark. Who would want a bitter taste anyway when chocolates are meant to be sweet? But dark chocolates have been known for its numerous health benefits. The more bitter and darker it gets, the more expensive and better it becomes. After all, its bitterness makes it more beneficial and distinct from the rest of its kind.

Bitterness and darkness in life is common in the forms of afflictions and tribulations. But who would want to be afflicted or deeply troubled by different kinds of trials and problems in life? I bet none of us. Nobody wants to taste even a hint of "bitterness" but the truth is it would help us to appreciate more of life's sweetness. . . .how can a person appreciates strength when he does not even knows how it feels to be weak? Is there a way for us to know the real meaning of true happiness if we never experienced sadness? How could we appreciate freedom when we do not know how it feels to be confined? Is it possible for us to value and become aware of all God's blessings in our lives if we do not experience loss?

The book of James said "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (James 1:2-4). According to Apostle Paul "I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties" (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Lastly, our Lord Jesus Christ said "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted" (Matthew 5:4).

Therefore like eating dark chocolates, let us just enjoy the "bittersweet" of life in every bite knowing that through our difficulties we are becoming more and more like Christ as we adopt the virtue of perseverance, humility, long-suffering and righteousness.