I believe we all have defining moments in our lives. Moments of hurt, abandonment, humiliation, loss, sickness, abuse, defeat etc. Some of these moments just happen on their own, sometimes people do bad things to us or to our family/friends and some of them are a result of a choice that we made. Either way, they happen. And if you have yet to experience one of these…honey, just keep on living.
Even though there are bad things that happen to us, it’s what we do next that that will have the most impact.
Batman was one of the first movies I remember seeing as a child.
Before there was a ‘Batman’, there was a little boy named Bruce Wayne. One night something terrible happens, his parents are killed. This horrific event becomes a defining moment for Bruce.
We can choose live in our pain, wallow in the hurt OR we take that pain and use it to fuel our purpose.
Bruce decided to take that pain and position himself in order to help others. Yes he was rich, but richness is not his superpower. His superpower was his courage, his determination, his desire for justice, his compassion. He is just a regular man that made a decision to not become defeated by what happened to him, but instead to use it as fuel to help others.
Sometimes we may not be able to actually do anything except choose the attitude that we have about it and during it. And even choosing to be at peace or be happy when facing some of the most difficult trials can impact someone’s life and give them hope and strength.
There is a question that Bruce’s father asks and answers, “Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves up”. If something in life knocks you down… you can choose to stay down OR you can pick yourself right back up, dust it off and come back from it. Yes, you can!
I simply cannot tell a story without thinking of an example from the Word
So….this reminds me of Joseph. His brothers really had it out for him. They were jealous and became mad because their father favored Joseph. Their jealousy caused them to plot against their brother and sell him into slavery. (Genesis 37)
Jealousy is dangerous y’all!
So Joseph gets sold to a man named Potiphar who was an officer to Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt. The Bible says that the Lord was with Joseph in Potiphar’s house (Genesis 39:2). Potiphar noticed that the Lord was giving Joseph success and put him in charge of his entire household. Okaaaay! *snaps fingers* Then, Potiphar’s wife…well, she acted a fool, lied and got Joseph thrown into prison. First slavery, now prison…and for something he didn’t even do. (Ever feel like when things are just beginning to get better, something else bad happens? Don’t give up!) But even in prison, the Lord made him the favorite with the prison warden. Again, okaaay! Next thing you know, Joseph is in charge of the prison! (Genesis 39)
I just want to say that even in the midst of our trials, God is still blessing us! (don’t miss it focusing on the negatives) Ok, back to the story…
Years later (yes, years in jail for something he didn’t do) Joseph stood before the Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, and interpreted the Pharaoh’s dreams. The Pharaoh saw God in Joseph and then BOOM, the Pharaoh says in Genesis 41:40, “You will be in charge of my court, and all my people will take orders from you. Only I, sitting my throne, will have a rank higher than yours”. Then Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of ALL of Egypt! YES! Just like that!
Oh, it gets better…
An extremely long famine soon ravishes the land (the dream that Joseph interpreted), and Egypt is the only place that has food. Due to the Lord blessing Joseph with the gift of interpreting dreams, the Pharaoh was prepared for the famine. So, Joseph’s brothers have to come to Egypt during the famine to buy food. And who do you think they have to ask for that food? RIGHT, Joseph! But they don’t even recognize him until Joseph reveals his identity to them. Can you imagine what the brothers must have felt, bowing down to the same brother they tried to wipe out?! For sure, Joseph would have the best revenge, right? WRONG; he blesses them! He explains that God sent him ahead of them (in this time of famine) to preserve their lives.
Yes, God allowed Joseph to face all of these trials, to save them. Someone is thinking, why could He just save them…Well, God’s ways are not like ours -Isaiah 55:8-9. God doesn’t say we won’t have trials, but that He will be with us in them -Isaiah 43:2. If He would have ‘just saved them’ we would not be able to see His Glory. We would not be able to see how even in the midst of hard times that the Lord is with us, protects us, shows us favor, causes us to succeed, promotes us; that when we are down to nothing, He is up to something; that He is kind and helps us to forgive when we are wronged; that He blesses us and blesses those around us; that He shows compassion even to those who don’t deserve it; He is a provider and He is a deliverer! I could go ONNNN because God is just that good. But God does things HIS WAY, and I’m ok with that!
Ok, now….so then, Pharaoh blesses Joseph and his entire family (70+ people)! And Joseph, in his position of authority, saves the lives of the people of Egypt too. (Joseph’s story is in Genesis 37-50)
When we face trials, we often get stuck focusing on the negatives and start the “woes”. Oh, woe is me! This happened to me and that happened to me. But how often do we ask God to help us in that moment? To ask him why, not as an attempt to place blame, but truly seeking understanding of His will in our lives. That’s right, His will. It’s not about us folks.
Joseph’s brothers tried to take him out…but God had other plans. Hallelujah! And He has a plan for you too, no matter what it looks like.
You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. Genesis 50:20 NLT
You may feel like the hardships you’re facing are trying to take you out. But I want to tell you today that the things you feel may be pulling you back, are actually just positioning you to saves lives, to change lives, to encourage someone, to make a difference! You, yes even you. 
What are your trials leading you to?
Be encouraged.
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