TURNING YOUR PAIN INTO PURPOSE - Pt. 3

The story of Joseph has been misunderstood by many preachers. I once heard a preacher say that Joseph's mistake was that he told his dreams to his brothers.

That is just human opinion about a divinely planned event. If you study the scriptures properly, you will see that telling his dream was part of God's script. Without that, his dream would not have been fulfilled. He did not act outside God's plan.

Psalm 105:19 says, _"Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the LORD tested Joseph’s character."_ This is very clear.

Whenever LORD is written in capital letters, it refers to God the Father. That verse shows that all of Joseph's hard times were a test from the Lord to build his character.

The question is, why was God testing Joseph? Verse 17 gives the answer: _"He sent a man before them—Joseph, who was sold as a slave."_ That "He" refers to God. God permitted all that happened to Joseph. But for what purpose?

Psalm 105:20-23 (NLT) says: _"Then Pharaoh sent for him and set him free; the ruler of the nation opened his prison door. Joseph was put in charge of all the king’s household; he became ruler over all the king’s possessions. He could instruct the king’s aides as he pleased and teach the king’s advisers. Then Israel arrived in Egypt; Jacob lived as a foreigner in the land of Ham."_

God knew a famine would come, and a whole nation needed to be saved because of their prophetic destiny. So He sent Joseph ahead of them to prepare the way.

But for Joseph to play that important role, God had to test his character to be sure he was fit for the throne. God was not only testing him, He was also *training* him. God often takes us through rough seasons to train us for something important in His plan.

*Please note: I am not saying God causes evil. What I am saying is that, even though evil happens, God sometimes permits it to achieve His purpose. He could have stopped it, but He allows it because of a greater purpose*.

The death of Jesus looked like victory for Satan and hell, but they did not know it was God's vehicle for our salvation. Paul says, _"But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord."_ (1 Corinthians 2:8 NLT). What Satan meant for evil, God turned it around for good.

*I have observed that God's test and training always go together. God never tests without training, and both will involve some pain and discomfort.*

Look at Joseph's journey:
If his brothers had not sold him, he would never have got to Egypt.
If Potiphar's wife had not lied against him, he would have remained a houseboy in Potiphar's house. He would not have gone to prison where he met Pharaoh's chief baker, who later connected him to Pharaoh.

*We see pain, but God sees purpose.*

That is why Joseph could tell his brothers in Genesis 50:20, _"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."_

Joseph understood that God's hand was pushing him into purpose. That is why he could easily forgive his brothers. They were only tools and vehicles to fulfill his dream.

That is who your betrayers are. Without forgiveness, you cannot enter the next phase of God's plan for your life.

*Your betrayers are your transporters. The pit is the path to the palace.* Stop cursing those who hurt you; they actually pushed you into your purpose.