A thought by Max Lucedo, from his book, God Will Carry You Through (p. 95). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)
And the story of Joseph from the Old Testament is such a story.
Max says, “In the chaos called ‘Joseph’s life,’ I count one broken promise, at least two betrayals, several bursts of hatred, two abductions, more than one seduction, ten jealous brothers, and one case of poor parenting. Abuse. Unjust imprisonment. Twenty-four months of prison food. Mix it all together and let it sit for thirteen years, and what do you get? The grandest bounce back in the Bible! Jacob’s forgotten boy became the second most powerful man in the world’s most powerful country. The path to the palace wasn’t quick; it wasn’t painless, but wouldn’t you say that God took this mess and made it into something good?”
He goes on, “And wouldn’t you think he can do the same with yours? Tally up the pain of your past. Betrayals plus anger plus tragedies. Poorly parented? Wrongly accused? Inappropriately touched? Oh, how onerous life can be.
“Yet, consider this question: Is the God of Joseph still in control? Yes! Can he do for you what he did for Joseph? Yes! Might the evil intended to harm you actually help you become the person God intends you to be? Yes! Someday—perhaps in this life, certainly the next—you will tally up the crud of your life and write this sum: all good.”
Psalm 37:5 (NKJV) says, “Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.”
Max then says, “Life comes at us with a fury of flying fists—right hook of rejection, sucker punch of loss. Enemies hit below the belt. Calamities cause us to stagger. It’s a slugfest out there.
“Some people once knocked down never get up. They stay on the mat—beaten, bitter, broken. Out for the count. Others, however, have more bounce back than Bozo. With God’s help, you can bounce back. Who knows? Your rebound may happen today.
And that can happen, can’t it?
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