From Affliction to Blessing: The Transformative Journey of Joseph
Gen 41:51-52 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house. And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.
My heart is encouraged to read Joseph’s declarations! To know that others have been delivered from their own personal dungeons offers hope that perhaps, I too shall be able to realize victory over mine! Nothing is more dreadful to one’s soul than to feel like you’ve been played like a puppet amidst people and circumstances over which you have no control. It is a terrible place to be, when you feel as if everything in your life has gone wrong, and then to feel that you’re completely powerless to change any of it for the better! In this dungeon there is a constant nagging voice of doubt and fear that reminds you of your failures and losses, consequently stifling the very life out of you. It’s one thing to have failed and lost, but it’s another to be constantly reminded of it and haunted by it while trapped in this dungeon of despair. However, there is good news! The Lord was with Joseph (Gen 39:2, 21)! Sure there may be moments where we don’t feel His presence, but we’re still alive! We’re still in our right mind! We’re still clothed! We’re still fed! We’re still provided for! We’re still LOVED! Hallelujah, what a Savior! The Psalmist said, “Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.” God could have restored Joseph back with his family, but rather He chose to turn Joseph’s land of affliction into a well-watered garden! God will move things around in your life so that His purposes are to your advantage! Today, if you find yourself in the dungeons of fear and doubt, listen to the Words of Christ in the quietness of this moment and allow the Comforter to speak peace to your soul! “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Matt 11:28-29
~ Pastor Gary Caudill
My heart is encouraged to read Joseph’s declarations! To know that others have been delivered from their own personal dungeons offers hope that perhaps, I too shall be able to realize victory over mine! Nothing is more dreadful to one’s soul than to feel like you’ve been played like a puppet amidst people and circumstances over which you have no control. It is a terrible place to be, when you feel as if everything in your life has gone wrong, and then to feel that you’re completely powerless to change any of it for the better! In this dungeon there is a constant nagging voice of doubt and fear that reminds you of your failures and losses, consequently stifling the very life out of you. It’s one thing to have failed and lost, but it’s another to be constantly reminded of it and haunted by it while trapped in this dungeon of despair. However, there is good news! The Lord was with Joseph (Gen 39:2, 21)! Sure there may be moments where we don’t feel His presence, but we’re still alive! We’re still in our right mind! We’re still clothed! We’re still fed! We’re still provided for! We’re still LOVED! Hallelujah, what a Savior! The Psalmist said, “Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.” God could have restored Joseph back with his family, but rather He chose to turn Joseph’s land of affliction into a well-watered garden! God will move things around in your life so that His purposes are to your advantage! Today, if you find yourself in the dungeons of fear and doubt, listen to the Words of Christ in the quietness of this moment and allow the Comforter to speak peace to your soul! “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Matt 11:28-29
~ Pastor Gary Caudill