GETTING PAST THE PAIN

Genesis 50:20 “God turned into good, what you meant for evil.”

Joseph was a man who had a bright future as a youngster. He was so intelligent and capable, so much the apple of his parents’ eye. This young man, part of a large family, was a standout. Something about him just caught your attention, and you knew he had tremendous potential. He was so brilliant, and his parents just couldn’t do enough for him. They gave him all sorts of advantages. They showered gifts on their standout son. This young man was born with the proverbial silver spoon in his mouth, and everything was set to go for a very successful life.

But he never counted on something sinister that was brewing, right in his own family. Something that would take a terrible turn and change his life forever. He had not counted on an element of pain that could have turned this young man into bitterness. His brothers betrayed him and we are given a great story in the book of Genesis.

The culmination of the story occurs when Joseph’s father, Jacob, dies. Joseph’s brothers were so afraid that Joseph would now retaliate. But instead of lashing out in anger, Joseph replies, “You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”

Joseph found a way to live past the pain of his family experience and redirect his life. If you and I are going to learn to live large, I believe there are lessons for us in the life of Joseph. How do we get past old defeats? How do we get past the pain inflicted on us others?

We can do it, by taking Joseph’s approach. You meant it for evil, but God … But God intended it for good. You did your worst, but God did His best. You were bent on destruction, but God was set for construction. You were focused on death, but God was focused on life. You put down, but God lifts up. You thought you had everything under control, but it is God who is truly in control. You meant it for evil, but God took all your messing around and turned it into good according to His purposes.

Our souls look back and wonder how we can get over defeat. We get over because God intends us to get over. We get over because God is at work in all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. We get over because God, in the most dismal of days and in the darkest of shadows, is still on His throne and is still pursuing His purposes.

No matter what we’ve been through, we have a God who spared not His own Son but freely gave Him up for us all. We have a God that takes our toughest moments and can translate them into our greatest victories. He intends them for our good; for our redemption. That’s how we get past it and move on.