What are my “Many Colors” to Be?

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

                                               Genesis 50:20

  I love the story of Joseph. It amazes me that someone could be so mistreated and presumably forgotten by God and still have their life story turn out in such a strong, worthy manner.

Joseph didn’t doubt God. He knew there was a purpose, ultimately.  He just didn’t know what the purpose was, except that it was good – because God is good.

 So as I travel through this season on my life, and all I have anticipated and relied on is taken from me, I know, in the recess of my soul, that God is good and still on the throne.  As with Joseph, I have others tell me that I am doing something wrong, something displeasing to God.  I know that I’m really not.  I have questioned and accused, normal human things, but I have forsaken that way of thinking.  There are things that have happened since my illness came upon me last fall, that should have devastated me.  They haven’t.  God loves me and will guide us through this “dark night of the soul” as well.

 Joseph was thrown into prison and believed, he was left for dead by his brothers and believed, he was falsely accused by a jealous woman and still believed.  I have not been as steadfast as Joseph.  I’ve had dreams taken from me, illnesses descend upon me, jobs be made impossible, friends turn their back and others gossip about me.  I have cried and pounded my fists and blamed God.  Fortunately, I have other friends who are so tuned into God.  They took me into their arms and comforted me and taught me where I have gone wrong.  In the end, isn’t that what it is all about?  Teaching each other how to get closer to God?

 I want to be like Joseph.  I want to be able to take a fist to the chin and smile.  I am blessed with so many around me who help me in that endeavor.  Friends, teachers, doctors, guides, and a husband who believes in me when I don’t believe in myself!

 Don’t give up on your life.  All of us are Joseph to some extent.  We all have hardship and unfair circumstances come upon us.  We can either stomp our feet and blame God, or embrace His goodness and trust His plan.  The second option is the harder, but definitely the more worthwhile.  God knows what is best for us.  It may not look like what OUR best for us would look, but He holds the future, “He holds MY future, and life is worth the living, just because He lives!”