Misunderstandings, mockery, aggressions… We can be victims of all kinds of injustice, some more painful than others. But when we are children of God, we have hope for restoration.

If we were to put it in today’s context, Joseph’s story would be surreal. He was sold into slavery, falsely accused and thrown into prison, and promoted to the prime minister of Egypt to save the people from starvation. It wouldn’t just make a Hollywood movie, it would be a multi-part series. God can use our pain for His good. Today we see what happens when others harm us. “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive” (Genesis 50:20 NKJV).

Joseph suffered the ultimate humiliation when his brothers sold him into slavery. They were fed up with his smugness and the favouritism their father showed him. Since he was the child of Jacob’s favourite wife, Rachel, he received more attention and favour. The brothers thought that if they got rid of him, it would go away. It sent Joseph down a path that no one would choose, but God used it for His purposes and glory. Joseph became a slave in the house of Potiphar and then thrown into prison, which gave him the opportunity to interpret Pharaoh’s dream and become the prime minister of Egypt so he could save his family from starvation .

Have we ever been wronged? Did it touch the deepest part of our heart? These are difficult situations to overcome, but we have to look at them from the possibility that God will use those for His bigger plan. Joseph became a slave, but God used him to save his family from severe starvation. Maybe God is using our wrong to achieve His purposes. Let’s try to see beyond the pain and find the value.

Many of the ways God works have multiple purposes. He is working in His people and using that to work with many people around us. Let’s develop the attitude Joseph had. “You had planned to do me harm: God changed it for good.” That allowed Joseph to concentrate on his work and keep his temper in check. In the end, he was able to extend grace to his brothers.