Setbacks

“Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen, and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.” Genesis 37: 28

” And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled.

20 And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.” Genesis 39: 19-20

” Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgot him.” Genesis 40: 23

Joseph experienced a series of heartbreaking setbacks -being sold into slavery by his brothers, being framed as a rapist by Potiphar’s wife, and being forgotten by the cupbearer whose dream Joseph had properly interpreted. While these bad experiences were not sent by God, Joseph understood that God would use them to prepare him for an important assignment later on. Looking at setbacks from that perspective keeps you alert to what you can learn from them and helps you endure them.

“But as for you, ye thought evil against me but God meant it unto good,” Genesis 50: 20

Source: (From The One Year Mini for Women, August 8)