When Life is the Pits – Part 1

Sometimes life is smooth-ish and other times it’s downright heartbreaking. From the 50,000 feet level, if you were to look down upon the United States, very few of us really struggle to survive. Nonetheless, many of us go through seasons when we struggle. We struggle with conflict, doubt, loss, discouragement, insecurity, and pain. We have heat and food, but we also have cold hearts and hungry souls.I was recently in Genesis 39 – the familiar story of Joseph’s plight after his brothers threw him into a pit and then sold him into slavery. (Your sibling rivalry is looking better, eh?) For Joseph, his entire world had been turned upside down within just a day or two. In my journal, I noted all the things Joseph had lost:

• his brothers (at least lil Benjamin);
• his doting parents;
• his country;
• his freedom;
• his friends;
• familiarity.

It’s hard to fathom what thoughts were going through Joseph’s mind in those first weeks and months. Yet what screams from the pages of Scripture are the four times we are told, “The Lord was with Joseph.”[bctt tweet="If the Lord was with Joseph, then why did he have so much tragedy?"]Now, this statement brings with it a few questions. First, if the Lord was with him, then why did Joseph have so much tragedy? This is a legitimate question! The simplest way I wrap my brain around this common question is that when God created us, He could force us to love Him or He could give us the ability to choose. Forced love is not love at all, so if He desired an authentic relationship with us, He had to give us room to choose. While lots of pain comes from human choices, it’s the ability to choose to love that also gives us the greatest joy in life. I’m grateful for a God who didn’t turn love into an obligation.I’m certain God’s heart broke over the decisions Joseph’s brothers made. Yet God never once allowed their decisions to shake His heart toward Joseph. From the first days of his nightmare, the Lord was right there giving Joseph favor. He had so much favor that even those around him saw his success. Joseph’s master kept entrusting him with more responsibility and power because he realized “the Lord caused all that [Joseph] did to succeed in his hands” (Genesis 39:3).[bctt tweet="No matter what someone takes away from you, they cannot rob you of the Lord’s favor."]If you’re feeling like your world has been turned upside down, there are so many truths to take from this passage. On Thursday, I’ll point out another one. In the meantime, what I hope you’ll realize is that no matter what someone takes away from you, they cannot rob you of the Lord’s favor. He is faithful and He will carry you through every tragedy and every turmoil. The Lord is with you. Even when man means to destroy you, the Lord can make you successful.Don’t give up. You’re created in the image of God. A God who will never leave you nor forsake you.Have you seen God make you successful in the midst of adversity? I would love to hear your story.