Yesterday afternoon, Kenya-- my husband--opened up the plastic Walgreen's bag he brought home with him and pulled out the red and blue box of "Children's Tylenol Plus Multi-Symptom Cold,"medicine. It was the grape flavor... the kind my two boys, Kaleb (3) and Kedar (5), seem to think tastes like candy. My girls, who are a little older (8 and 10) don't share the same sentiments.
But, once Kaleb's eyes fell on the enticing serum, his face lit up. Then, he instantly and mysteriously began hacking out of nowhere. Funny thing is, before that moment, Kaleb hadn't coughed all day long.
"Mommy I'm tick," he said with his best puppy dog face, in between forced coughs. Little Kaleb, who has, in fact, been battling a stomach flu, accompanied by a low grade fever and stuffy nose (but no cough), wanted to make sure he'd be in the line-up for his dose of "liquid candy," in the form of his favorite cold & cough syrup. He wanted to get his spoonful just like the rest of the kids who are also suffering with varying degrees of cold and flu symptoms.
My husband and I looked at each other and chuckled. "Where'd that boy learn to lie like that?" Kenya teased, amused by our 3-year-old's uncanny ability to impersonate the sound of a nasty cough, that magically disappeared once he was no longer focused on the Tylenol.
Even though Kaleb likes the taste of that particular brand and flavor, it didn't match his needs or symptoms. Some other medicine, though less pleasing to his palate, was better suited for the job.
Which got me to thinking...
Sometimes, we desire to have the "medicine" that tastes good going down, when that's not really what we need. Remember, what we like and what we need are frequently two entirely different things. You see, often, the most bitter pill to swallow, is also the most effective at curing what's wrong inside.
So, in God's army, when like vs. need... need always wins out, whether we like it or not.
I've learned over the years, that God develops character in us through the most unpleasant circumstances. That's why we have to be open and willing to allow God to use whatever He chooses to get us where we need to be. Our dose of strong medicine might mean losing some friends, being forced outside of our comfort zone, or even having to confront some things we've been running away from. Like it or not, there comes a time when the medicine that will do us good doesn't taste good AT ALL.
Who knows? Perhaps, you're facing a season in your life when you don't like God's medicine. But, although that medicine may not be your flavor, accept the Lord's methods. He knows what's best for you and me. After it's all over, you'll wonder how something that once tasted so bad, ended up being so good for you in the end.
Bad tasting medicine or not, there's one thing you can always rely on: "O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him" (Psalm 34:8 KJV). Even when you don't like what you're going through, trust God. When the pain of the struggle has intensified and you feel like you're at your worst, trust God. When the hard trial leaves a bad taste in your mouth, don't forget: "We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God-those whom he has called according to his plan" (Romans 8:28).
Do you like the struggle? Of course not. But do you need it to refine you? Absolutely.
As always, thanks for reading, and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!
Dianna Hobbs
