I was talking to a family friend yesterday about all the kids being sick with colds. "Give them some Buckley's," she suggested--a type of cold medicine. "When my kids get sick, I give them Buckley's and they're all better within two days tops," she explained. "It really works."
Since I really want the children to feel better, as you might imagine, my interest was peaked about this Buckley's mixture. "I've never tried that particular brand of medicine," I told her. She went on raving about the benefits of it--so much so, I decided to look it up online after we finished conversing. Turns out, I learned that they produce diverse formulas for both children and adults.
But, when I read online about their flagship product, the tagline jumped out at me: "It tastes awful and it works." On the Products page, there's also a quote from the manufacturer that struck me and made me think:
The "second kind" apparently represents a classification of people that will tolerate the unpleasant taste in order to eliminate what ails them--the ones that don't allow the awfulness of the taste to deter them from getting what they need. When it comes to the medicine I use to treat a cold, I think I might be the "kind" more inclined to go after comfort.
But, when it comes to my walk with the Lord, I've had to learn how to join the second kind. Ask yourself today, what kind am I?
The kind that seeks comfort, or the kind that seeks wholeness and the pursuit of destiny? It's so important for each of us to know where we stand, because there will inevitably be seasons when we'll have to come face to face with some stuff that feels awful, even though it's all working together for our good.
In life, I've discovered that some of the most awful trials did me the most good. My most painful tribulations, benefited me the most. They were "awfully good" for me. Psalm 119:71 says, "It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes."
You see, we have to go through hard things in order to learn, grow, and develop. I'm sure you can recall a "hard" season you went through. My, my, my... I surely can. But today, I'm able to look retrospectively and thank God for it, because it transitioned me out of one thing and positioned me for greater things.
So remember, the next time you're confronted with a difficult situation, don't run away from it. I know it may be uncomfortable, but if you allow God to take you through it, you'll come out better on the other side of that struggle.
Again I ask, what kind of person are you? Are you a comfort seeker or a destiny chaser? Destiny chasers dig in their heels, plant their feet firmly and swallow down that medicine, knowing that it may taste bitter, but it'll make them better.
Like Buckley's, trials aren't so pleasant, but they really do work to bring about change, healing, restoration, deliverance, and victory in your life; that is...if you're willing to take it!
If you do, it'll be awfully good for you my friend.
As always, thanks for reading, and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper! (By the way, thanks for your warm comments and prayers for the children! You really made me smile).
Dianna Hobbs
www.eewmagazine.com
