Have you ever felt overwhelmed by something you were part of? You thought about it before everything or everyone else?
Do you get caught up in posts you read on Facebook or other social media? Have you ever posted something that you regretted posting because you got caught up in someone else’s argument and you pushed send before you thought about the way others would receive it?
Make sure that what you post is a hill you’re willing to die on. Watch what you’re children are doing online.
The weight of when you mess up is overwhelming. Well you’re not alone…
Back to Joseph’s story…
If you’ve read my posts so far, you know that this is about Joseph that the Bible speaks of in Genesis. His brothers think that their situation is punishment for what they did to Joseph in the past. And they don’t even realize that Joseph is who they’re dealing with. They think God is punishing them, but they are getting grace that they don’t even deserve!
When our sins are discovered we can compensate in one of two ways. Either we overdo in our response or we try to hide.
Joseph’s brothers don’t deserve grace. We don’t deserve the grace that God gives us. We’re not so good at giving grace because we remember what people have done to us. God completely forgives us when we repent.
Joseph is now in a place that he can take action against his brothers, but that’s not what he does at all.
The Church talks a lot about grace, but it’s not so quick to give it or step out and go the extra mile.
If you’re not able to give grace, you don’t know God like you think you do. We can only overcome the arrogance of the unbeliever by giving grace. They don’t know what you may know, because they haven’t had an opportunity or are unwilling to know God. That’s why we need to give grace and let God do what he does in the hearts of his people.
SEEK JUSTICE, SEEK MERCY, WALK HUMBLY WITH OUR GOD
Forgiveness breaks the chains. It doesn’t mean that you’re not hurt or it isn’t important. It releases you from hurt that someone else has caused.
What are areas you are withholding grace from people? Give them grace. When we forgive someone, it doesn’t mean that we’re forgetting. But it sets the stage for restoration.
Read Genesis 42: 33-38 to see how Joseph’s brothers are dealing with their guilt as they prepare to return to Egypt, still not realizing that he is their brother.
Who do you need to give grace to?
In Faith,
Pam
Where God Leads 