January 3

For Our Good

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

GENESIS 50:20

The Bible tells us that Joseph was abused by his brothers, sold by them into slavery, and then repeatedly scarred and neglected by his enemies. But Joseph made an amazing discovery: anything meant in this world for evil, God can use for good. This is no less true for us today. God is able to take the messes of our past — our trials and our tests — and turn them into a testimony.

God’s Word does not say that all things that happen to us are good, but it does say that God is able to work all things together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose.

Very often, the thing the enemy uses to try to destroy our lives is the very thing God uses to help others. God can heal every hurt and turn our scars into signs of strength for his glory. Our past mistakes, hurts, and pain can help give someone else a future if we allow God to redeem them.

Joseph could have held on to anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, or resentment because of the way he was mistreated by his brothers. Instead, he chose to love and forgive them. This was the higher road, albeit the more difficult one. When he saw his brothers many years later, instead of taking revenge, he was able to save their lives and show that the very thing that was designed to destroy him and his destiny was actually the thing that God used to catapult him into it.

Joseph could have allowed his wounds and scars to stop him from fulfilling his purpose. Instead he allowed God to heal his hurts. Healing brings wholeness and wholeness unleashes destiny. It is healed people whom God can use to heal people.

MOMENT OF REFLECTION

Have you ever had anything happen to you that was unfair?

Have you allowed God to heal you or are you limping through life with an open wound?