Waist Deep 2018 - January 10

Genesis 50: 20 “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done.” (NIV)

From our limited human perspective it’s hard to sort out the painful from the purposeful because they are usually intertwined.* 


A few years ago, my life changed. Some bad things happened – not horrible things - but doors shut, and I was left feeling purposeless. Joseph’s life-story is a good reminder for me. Every bad thing in Joseph’s life was a step on the pathway to God’s purpose for his life. Look how many years of hardship and preparation went into getting Joseph ready for his big moment. Did he know that eventually his hard work, suffering, and patience would pay off? Or was he, like me, chugging along and doing the best he could until God revealed the next step?

My son was the victim of a vindictive action by someone he trusted and respected, but he has benefited from the experience. He has learned about forgiveness; he has witnessed the imperfections of God’s people; and he was given an opportunity that he might have missed if this hadn’t happened.

People may have bad intentions for us but God can take their bad intentions and use them as an instrument to accomplish good. Every bad choice is a lesson in how to make good choices. Every bad thing beyond our control is just a tool to strengthen our relationship with God.


Turn your burdens into benefits.*


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