I was reading this morning from Genesis concerning the life of Joseph. The truth out of those scriptures tell us that not everything that happens to us is good. But, not all bad things that happen to us are designed to hurt and destroy us. Some of the difficulty we face in life is just God’s pruning to prepare us for what He has for us to do. His brothers sold Joseph into slavery and meant it for his harm. God knew what was happening to Joseph and He used it for Joseph’s good. Only God has the ability to change bad things that happen in your life into something that benefits you as well as those around you. (Genesis 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.) We often forget just how big our God is. The things that has happened to us in the past does not have to dictate our future. Joseph was despised, hated, separated from family, sold into slavery, owned by others, told what to do, YET, God turned all of those things into Joseph’s favor. We need to stop talking about our misfortunes and start setting our faith and trust in God and watch how He will turn it around for our good. Rejoice! What you are going through might just be God’s refining moment in your life as He prepares you to influence many lives around you. Pastor Don [image: image.png]