Sometimes we find ourselves in the dungeon of circumstances beyond our control much like Joseph in Genesis 39. We are trapped and there is no way out. We may feel we unjustly deserve those circumstances but could it be God has a purpose in the pain? [Ps 105:17-19] refers to Joseph in prison but with an interesting twist. Those verses refer to Joseph being sent to prison meaning he was appointed. Appointed by whom? God sent Joseph to prison. Joseph was afflicted and hurt and tested there. God had a purpose.
When we are in our own dungeons all we can think about is relief, how to escape, or how we should not be there. I love the truth that God was with Joseph even in prison. God was with Paul and Silas in prison too. Paul and Silas responded to being beaten and imprisoned by singing. [Acts 16:25]
Joseph saw evidence that God was with him for he found favor with the chief jailer and was put in charge of the other prisoners. This speaks two things to me when dealing with dungeon like seasons in life. First, he kept his focus on God. Second he focused on others.
One of the greatest things we can do when feeling imprisoned by our trials is to spend time praying for others. I spent time this morning praying for farmer friends facing drought conditions in west Texas. I prayed for a friend with cancer and for other heavy laden people.
When in a dungeon keep looking to God and keep looking around at others who are suffering too. Be God's means of love and help to them. One day the season of adversity will end. God will be there with you every moment of the season of adversity as well as the seasons when you are in the place of abundance.
When we are in our own dungeons all we can think about is relief, how to escape, or how we should not be there. I love the truth that God was with Joseph even in prison. God was with Paul and Silas in prison too. Paul and Silas responded to being beaten and imprisoned by singing. [Acts 16:25]
Joseph saw evidence that God was with him for he found favor with the chief jailer and was put in charge of the other prisoners. This speaks two things to me when dealing with dungeon like seasons in life. First, he kept his focus on God. Second he focused on others.
One of the greatest things we can do when feeling imprisoned by our trials is to spend time praying for others. I spent time this morning praying for farmer friends facing drought conditions in west Texas. I prayed for a friend with cancer and for other heavy laden people.
When in a dungeon keep looking to God and keep looking around at others who are suffering too. Be God's means of love and help to them. One day the season of adversity will end. God will be there with you every moment of the season of adversity as well as the seasons when you are in the place of abundance.
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