If you’re just now joining to read this series on the life of Joseph, you might want to start at the beginning.
We are at the point in our story where Joseph can hide his identity no longer. (Refer to Genesis 45:1-15) He reveals to his brothers that he is Joseph, whom they sold into slavery many years ago. They are terrified, fearing that Joseph will take vengeance on them.
Families are ripped apart. Through forgiveness, we can overcome and reach the abundant life that God has for us. It isn’t easy, but you’ve survived every one of the worst days of your life so far. Why should the future be any different?
Forgiveness isn’t just about letting go of the past. It’s about creating a new future. More than letting go.
God will never put you through hard times to punish you. He never says it will be easy, but he does say he’ll be with you through those times.
We live in a damaged world, but God uses the things you go through to help you reach the end.
GOD PLAYS THE LONG GAME!
The brothers could be facing the reckoning to make things right. It could be revenge, but Joseph has a different take on the situation. He tells them that God sent Joseph ahead of them to provide a way to save them all.
God says watch me – I will continue to make you who I want you to be. The brothers are not evil, Joseph’s perspective has changed.
God has so much more for us than we can imagine. We don’t realize that we’ve been on the path leading us to his plan for us. We remember the hurt, but maybe that’s not the perspective God wants us to have.
With God’s perspective, Joseph took what he knew of God to eclipse what he knew of his brothers.
This released the offender. He’s not interested in revenge, but in reconciliation.
When we forgive, we must do it first. The enemy uses unforgiveness as a weapon, but God remembers our sins no more. He’s doing a new thing.
How often do you hide your true feelings because of hurt? We aren’t releasing ourselves from that hurt. This isn’t the answer.
But, look how Joseph handles the situation. He responds with grace.
Who can we repay with kindness, when that’s not what they deserve?
Joseph doesn’t want to talk about the past. He wants to move forward.
So to survive dysfunction we need to take God’s presence over the hurt and anger. Trust over gratification.
GOD’S DESIGNED US IN HIS IMAGE.
It takes reconciliation of our relationships to create redemption.
Forgiveness and reconciliation are not easy when we hang onto the past. We have to forgive first and that makes a way for healing and reconciliation.
We’re almost done with the series on dysfunction by looking at Joseph’s life. We’ll wrap it up with my next blog post. This has been a great in depth look at how God can work in our lives to bring healing if we’ll let him guide us.
In Faith,
Pam
Where God Leads 