Good can come out of what we see as a horrible situation.
Joseph was sold into slavery by his own family, his brothers. He was falsely accused of crime and jailed and YET GOD had a plan for good all along. He used all these horrible situations to position Joseph in a place and in a role in history that would save many from a devastating famine. Years later when he had the opportunity to get revenge on his brothers, he instead forgave them because he understood it was all a part of God’s good and perfect will.
“But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. — Genesis 50:19-20
When we face horrible situations, we have no idea how God is lining things up to give us a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11) We think we’ve gone through enough, but then another terrible thing happens and another and we think God has forgotten us, but He hasn’t. In Joseph’s case, he went through multiple trials and valleys over years and years and spent a lot of time separated from his family, facing these situations seemingly on his own. ALONE
But he wasn’t on his own and neither are you. The Lord was with Joseph. “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; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.” (Genesis 39:20-23)
The Lord is with you too. You are not alone. So when things start to look bleak and you feel like there is no one who cares, remember this…
God is with you always.
When you are awake and when you sleep. God loves you so much that He sent His Son, Jesus to die in your place so you could spend eternity with Him. His Spirit walks with you and guides you and will comfort you through every situation; every loneliness you face. All you have to do is make room for Him in your life. He’s already there just waiting for you to spend more time with Him. He’s even written you a love letter that we call the Bible. When you’re feeling lonely, open it, read through the story of Joseph in Genesis. Make note of God’s never-ending faithfulness and all the times that even in the midst of trials, God is with him and remember God is with you too.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. -Romans 8:28
is with you, even when bad things happen. Yes, He allows bad things to happen for a greater purpose. Personally I’ve had a lot of bad things happen to me, but I’ve also been extremely thankful that I haven’t experienced some of the bad things that others have. And even in the midst of some of the horrible things, I can see how God has been faithful, brought me through those experiences and never left me. He was with me before I even truly acknowledged He was there and I’m so thankful that He first loved me.
Sometimes when I feel lonely, I think of how Jesus must have felt a sense of loneliness when He walked among us. He was called to do things that set Him apart, that made Him loved and hated. But through it all, He knew His Father was with Him, so He was never truly alone. Just as we are never truly alone. Even when it feels like the world, your family or your friends have forsaken you, God never will. He is with you always and I pray that knowing that brings you lasting peace.
Do you truly believe God is always with you?
Comment below, I really want to know how you feel.
Jamila is the founder of loved+blessed. On her personal mission to leave a legacy of encouragement, she blogs about her own life lessons with the hope that it will bring joy into others’ lives and help them find the courage to keep walking in faith knowing that all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord. Read her testimony of how God turned her misery into ministry.
Comments
Jamila said:
What a praise report Ariella! God bless you too!!!! Thank you for sharing.
Ariella Taylor said:
I have come to see that the Lord is on my side and with me always. The last year has brought devastation – a chronic and dangerous health diagnosis, a lost job because of illness, limited income based on disability, and a host of other things. BUT God has been faithful and SO generous with His grace and love. It is ONLY Him who has carried me through this trying time and He who continues to usher in the light on dark and “bleak” days. The suffering I have endured and still endure has been sanctifying and has grown me tremendously in spiritual maturity. Because of this season, I now have a quiet trust and grounded faith in Christ. While I may still doubt some things about this life He has for me, I choose to believe Him and his faithful promises over those doubts; trusting that this period of “light and momentary affliction is producing for me an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.” (2 Cor. 4:17). I pray that this pain is used for tremendous purpose – the saving of additional souls; a purpose that shares Christ with others and helps them see/understand that he is with them…me…us…ALWAYS. God bless!