Facing Darkness in God's Light

When Joseph arrived in Egypt as a slave, his future looked dark and scary. It's difficult to imagine what life as a slave would have been like four thousand years ago. Joseph had to adapt to a new language, a different culture and strange religious practices. Joseph was a healthy teenager, so a person of prominence saw him as a good buy.

 

          Potiphar, an official of Pharaoh and captain of his bodyguards, purchased Joseph to serve in his home. Genesis 39:2 states factually that "The Lord greatly blessed Joseph in the home of Potiphar so everything he did was a success.” God is with us especially in the darkest days of abandonment and despair.

          God's word does not indicate Joseph became angry and blamed God for his troubles. The fact that God chose to bless Joseph demonstrates God’s faithfulness as he settled into life as a slave. Regardless of what you’re facing, trust God's continual presence and be encouraged by the goodness he provides each day.  

______________________

The Lord is my light and my salvation; I will fear no one.

The Lord protects me from all danger; I will never be afraid.

~Psalm 27:1 Good News Bible

Manage Conflict: Commit to Engage and Change - Part 2

Couples get married believing they will live happily forever. When fantasy collides with reality, disillusionment can lead to despair. Disillusionment is created by failing to know and correctly understand another person. Couples ignore differences in each other's belief systems and personalities so that negotiating real differences will be based solely on each other's integrity and willingness to change to save the relationship.

The first wife of the architect Frank Lloyd Wright as well as his six children  gave up on him because he was unavailable, unengaged, and aloof. He had a type of resilience and hardness of character that made it impossible for him to be warm, loving, and involved as a father and husband.

Peter had a presumptuousness that had to be confronted. Jesus asked him: "Are you more than a friend? Do you love me unconditionally? Are you willing to step outside of your protective walls so you can love me completely?" Will you let Jesus choose you for his service?

Surviving a Personal Crisis with God's Help - Part 1

Can you imagine life without electricity, indoor plumbing, and the automobile? How would you survive? It's impossible even to consider how radically your life would change. Personal crises can be so disruptive that your very survival appears questionable. Seldom does anyone get to cruise through life without having their world personally turned upside down.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the thirty-second President of the United States, had to struggle for survival when he was struck down by polio. Following this attack which left him paralyzed in both legs, he spend months in despair and depression. Food, clothing, and shelter were never an issue, but survival reaches beyond these basics needs.

God permits us to experience personal crises so we can realize his plans and purpose for us. Change and growth inspired by personal crises open our hearts to God's unconditional love. Experiencing his love gives us courage to make needed changes. God never permits you to be tested beyond your ability to survive, but gives you strength to endure any crisis.  

Finding Purpose in Life's Ups and Downs - Part 3

Integrity determines how success or failure is managed. Personal failure can be devastating because failure is attached to our values, morals, and sense of uprightness. It is not unusual to overestimate what we can do with the skills and abilities that God has given us, but failure does not require a denunciation of who we are as persons.

By his mercy, kindness, and forgiveness God will, by Christ Jesus, renew a meaningful and purposeful spirit within us. Finding purpose beyond failure is where integrity plays a major role. When we are enlightened and strengthened by the Holy Spirit, our integrity prevents us from lapsing into despair when failure, whether perceived or real, comes our way.

A friend was forced to take early retirement, but resigning to a life without purpose was out the question. Instead, he determined to find a new purpose for the remaining time God would give him. His integrity allowed him to use this crisis as a means for determining how all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purpose.