Day 19 - Advance Out of a Bad Situation

So it was God who sent me here, not you…You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.  Genesis 45:8; 50:20 (NLT)

Joseph suffered bad consequences for stuff that wasn’t his fault. A family feud started it off. From there, Joseph went from a pit to a slave block. Then, He was framed in a moral scandal and shipped off to prison. With little to no control over the path his like was taking, things went from bad to worse. Joseph made a conscious choice to release his grievances and rely upon God.This choice leads to the rest of the story. Below are four principles that Joseph’s life can teach us. 

1.    Joseph kept his dream alive when in reality his life was one nightmare after another. 

 Little things like crisis, defamation of character, exploitation, false accusation and a kangaroo court conviction…could not dim and destroy his dream. Bad times only made his dream look brighter. Dreams don’t die easily.

2.    Joseph eventually discovered that things were not as bad as they appeared to be. 

Pits were the prelude to the palace, and it was the only way he could get there. Don’t pay so much attention to the highway upon which you are traveling, but pay more attention to the destination. Problems only become insurmountable when you get your eyes off your goal.

3.    Joseph at one time realized that people may be critical of who you are and of the dreams you hold dear to your heart, but they cannot over rule the ultimate purpose that God has mapped out for your life. 

Your critics will not determine your destiny. You and God will!

4.    Joseph discovered that God was in complete control of his life even when all known and seeable facts dictated otherwise. 

The God who controls the wind and waves is in control of your life, and He will not fail.

Application: Think about a time in your life when you have gone through a bad situation. Write down the situation. How did you make it through the bad situation? How did it make you stronger? How do you relate to Joseph? How can Joseph’s life help you connect deeper with God? How can Joseph’s life help you connect with those around you?

— Jimmy White, National Director of Men’s Discipleship