Better Because Of It

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Genesis 50:30 (KJV)

Have you ever wished that you had never experienced certain things in your life? Have you thought that your life would have turned out better if you hadn’t been through some of the things you’ve been through? Well, the truth is, God knew you, what you would choose, what you would go through, and the life experiences you would have. Yet, He allowed you to be born and to live.

Although we make bad choices or others make wrong decisions that affect us in ways we never wanted, God’s plan will come to pass if we choose Him. As we walk with Him, God has a way of taking bad things and turning to our advantage. The things that appear to be our losses become heaven’s gain. Paul said that he counted all things as loss and as nothing so that he might gain and know Christ. If we fall, God lifts us up again. If we get hurt, God heals us. God will use what we go through to cause us to pursue Christ; to run to God and not from Him.

Joseph got dreams from God, and, in the natural, it looked like there was no way they would come to pass. But, when God speaks a word, cooperate with God by living for Him no matter what happens. Joseph suffered much. His brothers sold him out by selling him into slavery. He was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife, and spent years in prison. Then he interpreted the dreams of high ranking govenment officials and was forgotten by the one official who was restored to his post, meaning Joseph was left to remain in prison for several more years. Yet, in all he went through, Joseph relied on God.

What Joseph went through caused him to see that God was who He really needed, and that God was with Him, orchestrating events and working things in his favor. God was working to bring his deliverance, vindication, and promotion. If all these things had never happened to him, Joseph would have never known God like he did, he would have never become who God called Him to be, and he would have never done what God called him to do. Had Joseph not chosen to serve, forgive and remain faithful to God, he would have ended up worse off. But, God knew Joseph and what he would choose, and He used all Joseph went through to make Joseph a better person, give him a better life, and use him to save the lives of countless others.

God knows all the details, but He works with the big picture in mind. As He is making our lives better, He is also making things better for others and the world. As we go through things, if we choose correctly, we become stronger, wiser, kinder, and more giving. We become wise leaders and better people. Therefore, we really are better because of it.