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- Oct 26, 2007
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So Joseph said to his brothers, "Come near to me, please." And they came near. And he said, "I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. Genesis 45:4-5 ESV
Joseph didn’t hold his suffering against his brothers. He resolved to look at the ways God had worked throughout his life’s circumstances to lead him to a place of blessing. While Joseph’s brothers surely felt a mix of emotions, ranging from fear to regret, they had an opportunity to be completely forgiven and to move on despite their grievous treatment of Joseph.
At the lowest points of loss or conflict, you may struggle to see the big picture and to forgive those who have hurt or offended you. How can you move on after someone has mistreated you? Although Joseph’s story is quite extraordinary, it offers a helpful approach you can apply in your own life: reviewing the outcome of suffering and looking for god’s hand at work.
You may even see how God has been at work through your misfortunes, and that will move you toward greater mercy. With this big-picture view, you may even become more concerned about the anger and shame that your offenders bear.
Prayer: Father, help me to see Your hand at work so that I can forgive others readily.
Joseph didn’t hold his suffering against his brothers. He resolved to look at the ways God had worked throughout his life’s circumstances to lead him to a place of blessing. While Joseph’s brothers surely felt a mix of emotions, ranging from fear to regret, they had an opportunity to be completely forgiven and to move on despite their grievous treatment of Joseph.
At the lowest points of loss or conflict, you may struggle to see the big picture and to forgive those who have hurt or offended you. How can you move on after someone has mistreated you? Although Joseph’s story is quite extraordinary, it offers a helpful approach you can apply in your own life: reviewing the outcome of suffering and looking for god’s hand at work.
You may even see how God has been at work through your misfortunes, and that will move you toward greater mercy. With this big-picture view, you may even become more concerned about the anger and shame that your offenders bear.
Prayer: Father, help me to see Your hand at work so that I can forgive others readily.
