Text: Genesis 50:19-21. “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. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them”.
We all go through things that are not fair. People treat us wrong and make us lose our jobs, family and friends. We have a choice on how to respond as opposed to stopping what people do to us. The more we dwell on the hurts and the things that are wrongly done to us, the more we destroy our relationship with God. Joseph went through hurts suffered at the hands of his very own brothers. They attempted to kill him and hurt him by all means necessary. Through it all, Joseph never bore any grudge but rather allowed God to grant him favor through the pain.
Whenever we embark on the path of bitterness and revenge, we compromise our walk with God. Bitterness gives the opportunity for others to negatively control our lives. Bitterness allows the enemy to have a foot hole in our lives. Because of someone’s actions we allow bitterness to consume us to miss out on God’s favor. The choice is ours but remember God gives us grace to live through the trials and tribulations. Will we chose the petty carnal instincts that drive us to be bitter and vindictive? Joseph chose the favor of God and stayed away from being bitter. He refused to allow the pain and hurt affect his relationship with God. Allow God to fight for you. Let go of the bitterness and let God.
During this period of Lent, let us release what is eating us up and let go of the pain others may have caused us and forgive just as God has forgiven us.
Reflection: What is eating you up? How can you let go?
Reading: Genesis 50:1-21
Submitted by: Dennis Arthur
New Life International UMC
Image: gotquestions.org