HANDLING DIFFICULT TIMES THE RIGHT WAY

BIBLE PASSAGE:
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)

MEDITATION:
When difficulties arise in our lives, 
we tend to get upset and wonder how soon our problems will end.
But God wants us to focus on Him during our times of trouble.
And when we do, we will discover He is 
doing important spiritual work in the midst of these “storms”.

The Bible gives us the information we need to know about our life in Christ,
and what it means to surrender to, and follow Him.
When we are faced with difficulties, the depth of our faith 
in God’s character and promises will become evident. 
In addition, our doubts or uncertainties will also rise to the surface. 
 
On the positive side, Joseph revealed a strong belief 
when he acknowledged that God intended his hardships for good. 
However there could be times when, like Peter (whose fear led to denying 
Christ), we fail to react to issues in the way God wants us to respond.
God wants us to think of trials 
as opportunities to grow and deepen our faith.

He does not want to ‘beat us down’ and discourage us.
Due to His deep love for us, He wants to 
help us in the areas where we are struggling.
Sometimes a difficulty is the only thing that will get our attention and turn 
us back to God, when we are on a road that is taking us farther away from Him. 

As God’s children, we are tasked with living our lives 
in a way that displays the good characteristics of Christ. 
When we do, we become living witnesses of our faith in Him,
and that in itself can point others to the Lord.
But we are more like jewels in the rough, aren’t we? 
The heavenly Father can use the storms of life 
to transform us into His Son’s image.

When God helps us through difficult times, it blesses us and others as well. 
Our Father comforts us in our sufferings 
and asks that we share what we have received with other people.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father 
of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our 
troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort 
we ourselves receive from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

Difficult times can come from our own mistakes, 
the schemes of the Enemy, or the hurtful actions of others. 
Regardless of the source of our problems, 
our Father can work in them to benefit us and to bless others. 

Because Joseph had the right attitude and a close relationship with God, 
he could respond in the right way to the hurtful actions of his own brothers.
When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, 
“What if Joseph holds a grudge against us 
and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” 
 
So they sent word to Joseph, saying, 
“Your father left these instructions before he died: ‘This is what you are to say 
to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they 
committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants 
of the God of your father.” 

When their message came to him, Joseph wept. 

His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. 
“We are your slaves,” they said. 

But Joseph said to them, 
“Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, 
but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the 
saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you 
and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. 
(Genesis 50:15-21)

ACTION:
How do you handle difficult times?
Do you see them as opportunities to deepen your faith 
and grow closer to the Lord?
Or, do you allow them to create a rebellious attitude in you?
Remember that when You have the right attitude, God can help you, 
and when He does, it gives you a greater capacity for helping others.
What testimony about Him can you give to a hurting world?

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me and using difficult times 
to increase my faith and draw me closer to You. I pray that when 
problems arise in my life, I will accept them as opportunities to 
respond in a manner that will make me more like Your Son, Jesus. Help 
me to learn through these times so that I can be helpful to others 
whenever they are having problems. Teach me to be humble when I am 
ministering to others.”

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