Let God Be God

“Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, "Make everyone go out from me!" So no one stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept aloud, and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard [it]. Then Joseph said to his brothers, "I [am] Joseph; does my father still live?" But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence. And Joseph said to his brothers, "Please come near to me." So they came near. Then he said: "I [am] Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. "But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.” (Genesis 45:1-5 NKJV)

Your ability to forgive is tied closely to your ability to trust in the goodness of God. Joseph might have reacted harshly with his brothers. He had the power and the motivation to do so. However, Joseph learned to trust in God’s goodness.

He no longer looked at their wicked act as a thing to avenge, but rather looked at it as God’s means to preserve life. Couldn’t we trust God more?

We struggle so much with things that don’t go our way. We even get mad at God sometimes because He allows us to get into things that make us uncomfortable. Trials have a purpose, and life is directed by the Divine.

No matter what situation you find yourself in know that God works all things together for good (Rom 8:28). It could be that God will allow you to suffer for a long time, but there is a purpose in it. It’s our job humbly to trust His will. You never know what life may be preserved by your suffering.

Pray for wisdom to endure, and God will take care of the rest. “Blessed [are] those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4 NKJV)