Have you ever looked back on your life and thought to yourself, “Wow! How did I survive all that?” Most of us have a story to tell reflecting God’s love and mercy and so did Joseph.
Joseph’s hardship started the moment he was sold into slavery by his envious brothers. After being sold to the slave traders, he was sold again to one of Pharaoh’s officials – Potiphar. From being sold twice to being thrown into jail for false accusations for 12 years, things weren’t looking too bright for the kid. However, even so, “…the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison“ (Genesis 39:21).
“You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good…”
Long story short, a few years later the tables have turned. Joseph ended up being the second most powerful man in Egypt, next to Pharaoh. When the brothers became aware of the situation, they feared he was going to seek revenge. But he didn’t. Instead, he let them know: “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good…” (Genesis 50:20).
When you read through each scenario of Joseph’s life, you see how God was forming him and preparing him for his purpose, to save thousands of people in Egypt and in the surrounding regions.
But God
Having said this, every single scenario in our lives has also been played for a reason. This past year has been a year of so many questions. “Why God? When God? How God?” I couldn’t understand the way God was moving in my life. Nothing was making any sense. It felt as if someone pressed the pause button on my entire career and personal life. I wasn’t getting the job I wanted and other areas of my life were nonexistent. But God! Won’t He do it? Yes, He will!
After job hunting for over a year, God opened that door with that job opportunity for me. And right at that moment, each past humiliation; hurt; rejection, made perfect sense. God was preparing me to walk through that door. Have I not been prepared, my old way of thinking and my old way of perceiving things wouldn’t have allowed me to operate accurately.
Through every setback
To conclude, remember that in every setback God moves us closer towards our purpose if we allow Him to. No matter how irrational and unfair your situation may be, trust that God is always in the midst of it and means it for good. He is moving mountains we don’t see.
Are you allowing yourself to grow through what you’re going through? Are you ready to walk through that door?
Read also: When life is not a rose garden
