Joseph’s brothers … sent a message …”Before our father died, he told us to ask you, Please forgive the crime your brothers committed” … Joseph cried when he received this message. – Genesis 50:15-17 (GNB)
Joseph’s family relationships never completely healed. In fact his whole life was a strange mix of joy and sorrow.
So is ours. Some things can’t be fixed, only endured — yet through the endurance comes something obtained no other way.
The apostle Paul wisely decided not to just endure but to embrace these, focused on the results.
And so we boast of the hope we have of sharing God’s glory! We also boast of our troubles, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance brings God’s approval, and his approval creates hope. – Romans 5:3-4 (GNB)
Difficulties show God is not finished, yet. Our value to him isn’t in what we can do for him, cast off like an old shoe when we’re done. We still have future and God is preparing us for it; changing our character to be able to embrace it.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving grace to endure and a living hope for the future.
Sound Bite: I shall not only endure, but embrace God’s character building process!
-fritz@langgang.com
Patrikin - Kinship through The Father 