Can You Forgive Like Joseph?

Let me clarify which Joseph this is. Joseph was the son of Jacob who was the son of Isaac who was the son of Abraham. So I'm talking about that Joseph. I have attached a link to the story if you're bored.  Maybe you're on the train or something and you want to read it. Here we go.

Joseph was such a good guy. And his brothers just hated him. Jacob, his father really loved him. I mean Jacob showed much favor on Joseph over the other brothers. Which probably wasn't a good thing, because that made the brothers jealous and that jealousy turned into really bad hatred over Joseph that eventually led to telling Jacob that Joseph was deceased. However, in reality the brothers actually sold Joseph.

Sounds like a really bad story huh? Well, it started out that way, but if you read the whole thing it did not end up to be a bad thing at all. The Lord totally utilized it for good and in the end you know what Joseph did? He forgave his brothers.

From my reading yesterday, I talked about a little incident between my husband and his brother when they were younger. I did ask my husband later on that evening to explain a little bit more of the incident. He didn't remember why, but all he remembers was that it was intentionally because he was extremely mad. Said it was more than one punch. And, that's all I'm going to say about that. I seriously felt sad for a second. Well, it's a good thing that that type of attitude and relationship is over.  And, now many years later, they have a great relationship.

And it's so admirable to read in the Bible story about how Joseph forgave his brothers. Think about it.  His brothers totally ruined his life! You guys and us guys fill in the blank with something maybe someone did to you, that is.

When we think of something totally unforgivable, friends, can we think of something right now? Is someone's face popping in our minds that we need to forgive? Maybe, it's not time yet to actually go directly to the person and tell them you forgive them, but have you forgiven them in your heart? Or are you harboring so much pain and have feelings of hurt and anger towards this person?

I have no idea where you guys are at with that but I know where I was before. And, let me tell you that being unforgiving will definitely not be good for your life. Years went by of me just acting like everything was okay. But, it wasn't because I was being an unforgiving person.

I'll let you guys think about that and how you guys feel when you are unforgiving to a person. I totally see it as hurting you more than the person you need to forgive. Does that make sense? Just a deep thought. Perhaps if people would be more forgiving, we would have less crime in this world.

Encouraging thought of the day:

There's no time like the present to forgive someone who hurt you !

Matthew West: Forgiveness

Joseph Sold by his Brothers

Joseph Forgives His Brothers

Mark 11:25 ESV

And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”