Have you ever wanted to retaliate for a wrong done against you or toward another? Whether it is lashing out in anger, quietly plotting revenge, or sulking in our feelings, I am sure all of us have experienced this tendency to one degree or another.

The story of Joseph stands as the antithesis of our human tendency to retaliate. Joseph faced a multitude of pressures and trials: betrayal by his brothers, false accusations, and empty promises. All these could have caused Joseph to give up hope, give into the pressure, and turn away from God. Joseph could have accused God of being powerless to handle his problems, or not caring enough to come and rescue him. But Joseph didn’t do any of that. Instead, he knew some things about God. He trusted God, and he leaned into what he had been taught about him.

The pressures you and I face every day may not be like Joseph’s; however, no matter the situation, I believe God never wastes an experience. In Genesis 50:20, Joseph makes a declaration to his brothers. “You intended to harm me,”Joseph says, “but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” In other words, Joseph was able to see how God allowed the circumstances of his life to bring about the preservation of his family and the growth of a nation.

In spite of the circumstances, Joseph discovered the rich treasure of walking in God’s presence and in turn left this legacy for God’s people. Sometimes God’s purposes, in our pressures, may be far beyond anything we will see in this life, but whether we see clearly or not, he always has a purpose