January 10, 2024

Genesis 50.20 (NIV)

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done." 

From our limited human perspective it’s hard to sort out the painful from the purposeful because they are usually intertwined.*

At the time that I wrote today's words, my life was at a place that did not make sense to me. Some bad things had happened – not horrible things - but doors shut and left me feeling purposeless. Joseph’s life-story was a good reminder for me. Every bad thing in Joseph’s life was a step on the pathway to God’s purpose for his life.

 

Look how many years of hardship and preparation went into getting Joseph ready for his big moment. Did he know that eventually his hard work, suffering and patience would pay off? Or was he, like me, chugging along and doing the best he could until God revealed the next step?

During his college years, my son was the victim of a vindictive action by someone he trusted and respected. It was a painful experience but he was able to benefit from it. He learned about forgiveness; he witnessed the imperfections of God’s people; and he was given an opportunity that he might have missed if the bad thing hadn’t happened.

Others often have bad intentions for us but God can take their bad intentions and use them as an instrument to accomplish good. Every bad choice is a lesson in how to make good choices. Every bad thing beyond our control is just a tool to strengthen our relationship with God.

Turn your burdens into benefits.*

*Quote sources available upon request.