Pondering the Example of Joseph

The example of Joseph helps us overcome bitter thoughts. This 1-minute devotion explains. #BibleLoveNotes #Bible #Devotions #Joseph
Recently I woke up with bitter thoughts, remembering the injustice of a loved one and having arguments with them in my thoughts.

It’s a terrible thing to wake up "toxic."

I caught myself, took my thoughts captive, and began pondering one of my heroes – Joseph.

He suffered great cruelty at the hands of his brothers, but he forgave them, helped them, even spoke kindly to them. He knew it was God’s job to deal with them (Genesis 50:19) and he knew God was in the business of using sinners for the good of His children (Genesis 50:20).

I don’t believe Joseph deeply trusted his older brothers(1), nor did he favor them as he did Benjamin who had not betrayed him (Genesis 43:34 and 45:22). 

The example of Joseph helps us overcome bitter thoughts. This 1-minute devotion explains. #BibleLoveNotes #Bible #Devotions #JosephBut he never tried to repay them for their cruelty. He knew that was God’s job. Instead, he returned good for the evil they had done to him (Genesis 50:21).

Are you struggling with an injustice? Join me in asking God’s help in following the example of our brother Joseph.
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For more 1-minute thoughts on Joseph's incredible faith:
Faith in What Will Be - Joseph's Last Words
Imagine You Were Joseph 
Joseph Let God Be God
God Uses Bad People
Victim or Victor
Prospering in Prison
(1) There is good reason to believe that Joseph’s brothers never genuinely repented. Scripture seems to reveal that they repented for fear of the consequences, not for sorrow over what they’d done to Joseph, and that isn't genuine repentance (Genesis 50:15-17). See Did His Brothers Ever Really Repent?

https://www.amazon.com/Wisdom-Life-Devotional-One-Minute-Reflections/dp/1087775760

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The example of Joseph helps us overcome bitter thoughts. This 1-minute devotion explains.


The example of Joseph helps us overcome bitter thoughts. This 1-minute devotion explains.

 

6 comments:

  1. living from glory to glorySeptember 27, 2017 at 12:08 PM

    Powerful Post!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. loveJesusSeptember 28, 2017 at 8:24 AM

    Oh wow. How many of those conversations don't I have with those people that I know did me wrong. And they ARE NOT SORRY. But my anger boils in me. And I have so many good answers and things to say to them. Thank you for this post - straight to my heart..... His word is for our correction and I thank God we still in a place where he accepts our repentance and the grace we have to do so and be saved.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Marilyn HolemanSeptember 28, 2017 at 10:21 AM

    A good example, indeed. Thanks for sharing this, Gail!

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownApril 2, 2018 at 7:38 AM

    Just wow!💟💟💟✝️

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kim JacksonApril 6, 2018 at 8:09 AM

    Needed this. Thank you, Gail, for being used of God to deliver messages in His perfect timing!

    ReplyDelete
  6. LaniUnabeMay 15, 2021 at 8:35 PM

    Glad I finally learned this lesson!!! Better late then never!!!!!

    ReplyDelete

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