By all counts, Joseph's life had been going well. Then it turned sour. Jealousy and hatred drove his brothers to conspire to murder him; they ended up relegating him to a living death, selling him for 20 pieces of silver to slave traders. No doubt, all of Joseph's plans and dreams were shattered. Ripped from his home and his beloved father, he was now alone, a slave in a pagan land. He had every right to be angry and bitter.

Turning it around
The redeeming moment in Joseph's story came years later in his famous declaration to his brothers, "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good." (Genesis 50:20, NASB).

This is worth meditating on. God "meant" it for good? How can this be? God was at work even in the midst of evil actions? Of course He was. This phenomenal truth is a common thread throughout Scripture. Not only is it recorded in the past, in the lives of many significant players in God's story, but it is also a reality of the future — recorded in chapters that promise both good and bad news, joy and pain. Consider these prophetic moments:

• After the Fall, God declared to Adam and Eve the terrible consequences that would result from their sin but then gave the first hint that a Messiah would come.
• Thousands of years later, God promised Simeon that he would not die before he beheld the Messiah. That specific prophecy was fulfilled on the temple steps when Simeon took the baby Jesus into his arms. The Spirit of God then spoke through Simeon, foretelling that Jesus would be a revelation to the Gentiles but that a sword would pierce Mary's soul.
• Jesus declared that His disciples could expect both blessing and tribulation and that all those who pursue righteousness would suffer persecution, yet reap a reward that Scripture hints is beyond imagination.

A fallen world
The cosmic consequences of Adam's sin wreak havoc on our lives from birth to death. Sometimes bad things come from our own foolish actions. Sometimes they come directly or indirectly from the actions of others. Sometimes they come from a world writhing in its own death throes.

However crises come to us, they will surely come. Knowing this simple reality beforehand is a big part of the solution, because it is difficult in the midst of powerful emotions to dwell upon the truth of God's sovereignty.

That is why it is critical for God's people to prepare themselves for the inevitable. Recognize the reality of the fallen world you live in. There are going to be moments when you will hit serious bumps. Prepare yourself while it is easier to plant the truth of God in your heart.

Here are a few of His truths that will keep you grounded during hardships:

• God is working all things, even the difficult ones, for your good (Romans 8:28). This is the lesson from Joseph's statement.
• Sometimes God will discipline us or "prune" us (Hebrews 12:4-13; John 15:12). Though unpleasant, these experiences are the righteous responsibility of our heavenly Father. Bear them with joy, because they remind you that you are His child.
• Hang on to God's promises. Read Hebrews 11 and count yourself among those who faithfully endure and who are commended because you believe in His promise of a heavenly city.

Anger and bitterness usually come when we begin to buy the world's mantra that "it's all about me." We write our own script, and when something messes with it, we get angry, bitter or depressed.

The best preparation for difficult times is a heart and mind ready with the truth of God. If we're prepared, then all we need is the comfort of a close brother or sister who will pray with us and gently recall the faithfulness of God and His promises.

Taken from Focus on the Family magazine, July, 2007.
Article copyright © 2007, Focus on the Family.
All rights reserved. International copyright secured.
Used by permission

Del Tackett is a vice president at Focus on the Family and leader of The Truth Project, a worldview-training program.