Suffering causes our focus to turn inward, to face those parts of ourselves we might otherwise ignore. God can use suffering then to develop us into better people: the people who can love and enjoy Him forever (Romans 5:3-5; James 1:2-4).
Happy Thursday Saints.
Genesis 39:20-21 “JOSEPH’S MASTER TOOK HIM AND PUT HIM IN PRISON, THE PLACE WHERE THE KING’S PRISONERS WERE CONFINED. BUT WHILE JOSEPH WAS THERE IN PRISON, THE LORD WAS WITH HIM.”
As you already know, Joseph was falsely accused and wrongfully imprisoned. He didn’t do anybody any wrong.
You don’t always have to do something wrong to be in some kind of trouble. Job is another Bible character who didn’t do anything wrong when he lost everything.
G³od doesn’t always change our circumstances or bail us out of trouble when we want Him to. Sometimes, He allows us to experience certain conditions and difficulties to CHANGE US.
It’s when things don’t change quickly or when challenges aren’t overcome promptly that we find out what’s inside our hearts. And very often, it isn’t our circumstances that need to change, but we ourselves.
While Joseph was in prison, “THE LORD WAS WITH HIM.”
We must never forget that whenever we are going through a challenging period – the Lord is with us! That even amid great suffering, He can use our circumstances to develop our character and prepare us for His purposes.
Joseph later told his brothers, who sold him into slavery, that “IT WAS NOT YOU WHO SENT ME HERE, BUT GOD.” (Genesis 45:8)
He recognised that all his suffering was not in vain and that the Lord used his circumstances to prepare him and position him for great influence.
No matter what you might be facing, the Lord is with you. And if you’ll let him lead and guide you through, you can come through stronger and better prepared for what lies ahead of you.
Have a fabulous day. God bless and lots’a love,
Warren
