God Means It For Good

Have you ever had a verse just hit you in the face? I mean, you've heard it and read it hundreds of times, but suddenly it hits you in a new light? Well, that happened to me yesterday.
It happened while I was listening to a preacher at the church we were singing at.
The verse was Genesis 50:20, "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."
Joseph is talking to his brothers here, and I got to thinking about Joseph's life. I mean, he went from the loving protection of his father's house to the world of slavery. But it wasn't like he was kidnapped and sold into slavery. No, his own brothers sold him. The people he thought he could depend on. The people who were supposed to love him the most.
So, he went down to Egypt in shackles. But did he let his situation turn him away from God? No, he remained faithful and true. When Potiphar's wife tried to tempt Joseph, he would not sin against God and sleep with her.
For his obedience, he was rewarded with the anger of Potiphar's wife. She devised a plan and lied about Joseph to her husband. Potiphar had Joseph thrown in jail because his wife had told him that Joseph tried to rape her.
So here's Joseph sitting in prison. He's done nothing wrong, but he's despised by those who loved him. He's been called a liar by those who once trusted him most.
But you know the rest of the story. God used Pharoah's dream to bring Joseph out of prison. Joseph went from being a prisoner to being Pharoah's second man.
He saved thousands of people from starving to death. Including his own family. You know, those brothers who had hated him? The ones who had sold him into slavery.
He could've refused to sell them food. He could've made them pay for their wrongs, but he chose the road of forgiveness instead.
Why? Because he saw that God had used their wrong for the good of many. I'm sure when they sold him into slavery they never thought he'd rule over them one day, but God knew all along. And Joseph had trusted God through every trial.
So if you're facing something today, remember that God has a perfect plan for you. Even when you feel all alone. Even when you feel that everyone has left your side. God can use the hardest trials for His good. You just have to keep trusting in Him.
Don't allow bitterness about your situation take over and rule you. If you do, you may just miss the greatest blessing God has for you.