An Enlightening Example from Scripture

The first book of Scripture provides a remarkable basis for the optimistic faith we're talking about in the example of Joseph. Joseph suffered two extraordinary setbacks in his life. As a teenager, his brothers overpowered him and sold him to slave traders, who deported him to Egypt. While in Egypt, he was falsely accused of adultery and imprisoned for several years. Either of these adversities would have been enough to demolish the faith of any ordinary mortal.

Over the long term, though, neither misfortune proved to be normative for Joseph's life. And each was used by God to open critical doors for him. The slave traders brought him to Egypt, where he was to make his mark on history. And while in prison, he met Pharoah's cupbearer, who in time introduced him to the king. Pharoah was so impressed with Joseph's gifts and integrity that he made him second-in-command in Egypt, and director of a major famine-relief effort that saved the lives of countless people.

It's important also to note that Joseph wasn't to blame for either of adversities that befell him. They were acts of cruelty by people who desired the worst for him. While God used these events to strengthen and test Joseph (Ps 105:19), they weren't intended as punishment from God. Instead they were the basis for extravagant divine compensation in Joseph's life: as he declared to his brothers after years of hindsight, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good, to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" (Gen 50:20 NIV).

Joseph's example is an excellent one to reflect upon whenever we feel like life has dealt us a rotten hand. While we shouldn't repress the discouragement and frustration we feel when any setback occurs, we should stop far short of thinking it means that a curse is now on our life. We should remind ourselves that this incident doesn't have to define our future. And in time, God may use it in surprisingly positive ways in our life.