This past week, in Hello Mornings, we started a new Bible Study – “Fruitful Affliction” by Lara Williams . Affliction – not a pleasant word. Yet in and through God’s Word, we find this truth:
“For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.” (Genesis 41:52, NASB)
Over the next six Mondays, I will be sharing the lessons learned from the study in the hopes we all will discover the beauty when God graciously and mercifully brings fruit in the very place we are experiencing affliction.
So let’s get started ….
- God’s Word will always bring us instruction. Following His resurrection, we find Jesus walking with a few of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. We are told, “Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27, NLT) Every word of Scripture is meant for our lives today.
- Everybody may not be enthused about our dreams. Joseph shared his dreams with his brothers, who quickly became angry over what he was telling them. Sometimes the things which God speaks to us are meant for us alone. “They [the brothers] hated him all the more because of his dreams and the way he talked about them.” (Genesis 37:8b, NLT)
- Unchecked jealousy is dangerous. Joseph’s brothers hatch a plan to get rid of him. Their behavior reveals a dangerous progression: jealousy–> bitterness–> anger–> anger–> murderous desires. “When Joseph’s brothers saw him coming, they recognized him in the distance. As he approached them, they made plans to kill him.” (Genesis 37:18, NLT) We must deal with ugly, and sinful, emotions buried in our hearts as God knows and sees it all.
- Dysfunction may be a newer terminology but it’s not new. As we look at the interactions with Joseph, his siblings, and their dad, we come to realize family dysfunction has been around since the beginning. We can be so quick to recognize in others exactly what we will not see in ourselves. Matthew 7:1-5 warns us about judging others and dealing with the log in our own eyes …“The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.” (verse 2, NLT). May we extend the same grace which we have been given.
- The Lord will bring blessing even in unlikely situations an places. Joseph finds favor in prison, while serving Potipher and when he is falsely accused. “The Lord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed.” (Genesis 39:23b, NLT)Â
From the circumstances unfolding in Joseph’s life, we learn God remains at work in our life even when life is difficult and unfair.
Today I am joining … Sharing His Beauty and #SmallWonder and Playdates With God and Inspire Me Mondays and #FindStability and Create With Joy .
I love Joseph’s story. As a child I was enthralled with his coat of many colors and wanted one to match! As I have become older I realize just how many lessons we can learn from his life. But I have never thought of one of the lessons here — not everyone will be enthused about our dreams. (nor are then when one comes true!) I needed that knowledge today. Isn’t it amazing how we can read the Bible year after year and still find new truths we can apply to our lives? Thank you for your thoughts on “Grace in Action.”
I am always amazed at how He teaches us something new from the very familiar. His Word is always alive & living & applicable to our lives. So grateful we both learned something new from Joseph. Blessings to you today!
Joseph is one of my heroes of faith. So often we think we’re the first to experience something–but no, we’re all disgustingly human and others have sinned before us and experienced the same things we experience today. That’s why I love the Bible :). Thank you for reminding me that it’s all happened before and God faithfully brought others through (so he’ll be with me!).
Anita, it is so easy to forget they were all as human as we are today. So grateful to learn from them & perhaps avoid a few pitfalls myself. Blessings, friend!
I am always impacted by Joseph’s patience in his affliction. He managed his situation so well, but doing his best at whatever God put in his path. Although it seemed for a time as if nothing was going his way, God honored his faithfulness. Looking forward to hearing more of your thoughts on this study, and was thankful to read today’s thoughts at Blessed (But Stressed).
Michele, it is amazing to see how Joseph honored God even in his difficulties. May we battle our own emotions, bringing them under obedience to His Word so that we, too, may be fruitful in our afflictions.
Such good words of truth here. I also love Joseph’s story. Thank you for writing out such practical reminders of how we can apply some of the things he learned to our faith walk.
It is amazing, Stacey, all we can pull out & apply from each story, familiar or not. May we always continue to learn from His Word.
It always give me hope to realize how deeply human the people in scripture are – God uses it ALL. Thanks for linking with #SmallWonder!
Kelly, that is so it – God uses it all because His Spirit helps us & “pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.” (Rom. 8:27, NLT) He makes it all work out for good according to His will & purposes.I was so blessed to read those very words this morning.