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.  

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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

Family Peace: Putting God in Charge - Part 2

Couples who develop a high level of trust for each other learn how to avoid destructive power struggles. Developing trust for each other's strengths and weaknesses contributes to a balance of power that's important for creating a strong, healthy relationship. The appropriate delegating of power in a relationship relies on feelings of trust, peace, and contentment.

Developing and sustaining trust hinges on how others behave. Your perception of others and the world is influenced by behaviors you observe and the personal experiences you bring to a relationship. If you were deceived or abandoned in a former relationship, you might be distrustful about being vulnerable again. Surviving emotionally depends on knowing who to trust.

Jesus knew about the need to trust. Jesus is trustworthy because he is the Son of God, so he asks you to trust him as a friend and Lord of your life. Listen to Matthew 16:25. "Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." Taking this step of trust and faith is a significant choice for positive change.