Pain into Progress...

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives..." Genesis 50:20Joseph experienced an incredible amount of pain throughout his life. He was the youngest boy in a large family and was favored by his father, which made his older brothers very jealous. As a result, Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery. While serving as a slave, he was accused of sexual misconduct (though he was innocent) and thrown into prison by his owner. In prison, he provided wisdom and counsel to the cupbearer of the king. The wisdom he provided caused the cupbearer to be set free. Rather than keeping his promise to free Joseph when he was restored to power, the cupbearer forgot about Joseph and left him in prison. Eventually, God's favor was demonstrated in Joseph's life and he was restored to dignity and influence, but the path to get there was very painful.

Knowing that Genesis 50:20 was spoken to the very brothers that initiated Joseph's twenty years of pain and suffering, we realize the power behind Joseph's words, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good...". Have you made the transition in your life to see God in this light? Do you still hold a grudge against the person who hurt you? Are you still blaming the credit card company for your debt? Are you still sitting in the prison cell cursing the cupbearer? Or, are you ready to allow God to turn your pain into progress?

Prayer:
God, I know that some people may do things that are intended to harm me, but you can turn my pain into progress. You can restore the years that I have wasted. Your purpose will be fulfilled in my life.