From Dilemma to Opportunity

Try to imagine how surprised Joseph was when after twenty years, his brothers who had sold him into slavery were now standing before him. Although Joseph easily identified them, they failed to recognize Joseph. That Joseph could be Governor of Egypt was too absurd for them to contemplate.

There was a severe drought in the region, so his brothers came to Egypt to buy grain, and Joseph supervised the grain distribution program. Joseph never could have predicted the dilemma he faced regarding how to respond to his brothers. He held the power to enslave and repay them for the suffering he had endured as a young adult.

Joseph's brothers were now bowing before him. As a teenager Joseph had dreamed they bowed before him and now that dream had come true. Troubles surface at unpredictable intervals to challenge the status quo of our lives and to provide opportunities for resolving old conflicts and making amends. This is one of God’s best surprises, and if we honor it, healing is possible. 

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Praise the Lord! Happy is the person who honors the Lord, who takes pleasure in obeying his commands.

~Psalm 112:1 Good News Bible

He does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what may happen. For he is settled in his mind that Jehovah will take care of him. That is why he is not afraid, but can calmly face his foes.

~Psalm 112:7-8 The Living Bible

I am always aware of the Lord’s presence; he is near, and nothing can shake me.

~Psalm 16:8 Good News Bible

Trust in Change to Bring Improvement - Part 2

One main component of conflict is unmet expectations that result in disappointment. As a college freshman, a promising athlete had high hopes of playing sports, but a serious injury kept him benched. As he improved, he fully expected to be allowed to play, but the coach refused. Anger and depression followed the disappointment.

The conflict he experienced with the coach became unbearable because his primary reason for attending college was to play sports. Bitterly disillusioned, he dropped out of college. Coincidentally, a friend later asked him to go to the driving range and hit some golf balls. Here he discovered he had a knack for driving the ball.

During the pain of disappointment and failure, this young man found an inroad for change that helped him let go of bitterness caused by unmet expectations. God in his mercy gave him a way to find direction, meaning and purpose in life. Jesus assures us he is the way, the truth, and the life. In Jesus, there is hope and light. He heals the heartbroken.  

Trust in Change to Bring Improvement - Part 1

Conflict resolution requires each person to be open-minded to new ideas and possibilities. Otherwise, people stay fixated in the same old rut because there is no other option. However, there are times when inroads to resolution of conflict come unexpectedly. A young woman felt obligated to ask her husband for a decision on each problem she faced.

Then his job abruptly required that he be away from home several days each week which meant she had to make independent choices. Although feeling insecure, she was forced to explore the unfamiliar territory of independent decision making while he was gone. This change forced the couple to begin trusting each other.

Surprisingly, this couple’s relationship improved dramatically as each became more trusting and confident. Where unhealthy relationships exist because of conflict, God faithfully sends chances to make inroads for change. He expects us to be alert and willing to change unhealthy behavior and trust his leadership for those changes.