Dealing with Disappointment: Good Results
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Living Free Every Day®
A ministry of LivingFree.org
Today's Scripture
"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Romans 8:28 NLT
Thoughts for Today
While still in prison, Joseph correctly interpreted dreams for two of Pharaoh's imprisoned servants--his cupbearer and chief baker. As the dreams had predicted, the baker was executed, and the cupbearer was restored to service. Two years later, Pharaoh had two dreams that disturbed him, but no one could tell him what they meant. The cupbearer remembered Joseph and told Pharaoh about him. Pharaoh immediately sent for Joseph, and, with God's help, Joseph told him what the dreams meant. God was warning that famine was coming, and preparations needed to be made. Joseph was immediately released from prison to become Pharaoh's top official and took charge of the preparation.
When the famine came, it was widespread and even affected Jacob and his family. Joseph's brothers, the ones who had sold him into slavery, traveled to Egypt to find food. Joseph still loved them. He forgave them and provided for them. He arranged for his father and all the family to move to Egypt. Pharaoh promised them the best of the land.
Joseph had trusted God through many years of hardship, and God worked all those painful circumstances for good. Good for Joseph personally. Good for Jacob's family. And good for His chosen people in the generations to come. They would grow in Egypt from a few to millions.
Consider this ...
God's plan is always perfect. You may have suffered rejection. You may have experienced disappointments and hardships for years. Or you may have recently entered a time of difficulty in your life. Get hold of today's scripture and hang on to it. No matter what has happened. No matter what is happening now. No matter what is to come. If you will trust God, He can--and will--bring good from it.
Remember, He loves you. You may not understand your circumstances. You may not see how any good could possibly come from what has happened. But, like Joseph, if you will keep your eyes on God and trust Him, good will come.
Prayer
Father, I don't understand why this has happened to me. Help me to stop asking, "Why?" Forgive me for feeling sorry for myself. Forgive me for the anger. Help me to trust you to work out all the details of my life in Your time and in Your way. In Jesus' name ...
These thoughts were drawn from ... Free to Grow: Overcoming Setbacks and Disappointments by Jimmy Ray Lee, D.Min. The purpose of this group study is to help people overcome disappointments and setbacks that have arrested or are presently hindering their emotional and spiritual development. The group study will help participants understand how to be set free so that they can grow and become all that God has designed them to be. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.
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