Do you suffer well? Have you ever found yourself trapped in the middle of a painful situation? Not the normal irritations of life we occasionally have to “suffer” through like rush hour traffic, being front and center in the longest meeting in the history of the world with a monotone consultant or Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channel.
No, those aren’t what I’m talking about. I mean long-term painful struggles that you never planned for. One of those “how did I get here?” moments. You wake each morning looking for a glimmer of hope but every day seems to get worse and is darker than the day before.
Betrayal from a friend, being fired, facing financial ruin, a bad report from the doctor, divorce, loss of a loved one; the list could go on for days. We all face these times in our lives, but the holiday season doesn’t make it any easier. Everyone is supposed to be happy. We are expected to smile and be jolly at family gatherings that often bring memories of dysfunction, addictions and abuse that only add to the
pain. It can be a dark, lonely, isolated place.
Joseph was a man who could understand those times in life. He had the American Dream. Everything was going right for him, but God had a different plan. Instead of taking over the family business filled with position, comfort and security, He was betrayed by his brothers. I have often wondered if he could hear them making their plans while sitting at the bottom of that pit. After being sold into slavery he was
falsely accused, thrown into prison and forgotten. When finally given then chance at revenge, he saw God’s purpose in the events of His life. Joseph knew how to suffer well
“His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God. As for you, you meant evil against me, BUT God meant it for good. (Genesis 50:18-20)
Do you suffer well? We all say we want to live with eternal purpose, but do you get angry when God interferes with your life? Do you try to take things into your own hands? Do you grumble and complain?
There is no record that Joseph ever did any of these things. Joseph waited patiently and walked through life looking for God’s eternal purpose.
I don’t know what you may be facing in your life right now, but let me encourage you. Try to see things from an eternal perspective. It’s easier said than done, but this is a lesson that I have had to remind myself of many times over the years. We have faced financial ruin. We have faced betrayal from people we trusted. We
have gotten the bad report from the Doctor…but God.
We lost our house, but were never homeless. We fought through distrust and anger, but our marriage was restored. We faced the potential of cancer, but further tests amazed the Doctors because all signs were gone. God has used each and every one of those situations to bring us closer to Him and equip us for His purpose in our lives.
Is it possible that the very things that interfere with our plans, are designed to be a “but God” moment in our lives? When trouble comes…do we thankfully embrace God’s purpose? As I currently walk through a multi-year struggle I have to lean on David’s prayer in Psalms 46 and remember that God is in control.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.” (Psalm 46:1-3)
“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)