Suffering While in God's Will, Pt. 2

Have you suffered not for doing the wrong things but for doing what was
right? If so, you know how painful it is. Keep trusting God. He has a plan.

Suffering While in God's Will, Pt. 2

"Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him."

(Genesis 40:23)

For King and Country is one of my favorite Christian bands. I have seen them in concert a few times, and they are very talented. A few years ago, they were in concert at our church here in Austin. Joel shared with us that his brother, Luke, had a family emergency and would not be able to be present. I learned later that Luke's wife was experiencing a very difficult time in her life and needed her husband to help her. He did the right thing and left Austin, flying back to Nashville to be with his wife.

You may wonder, "Why the crisis in his life? Did this Christian artist do something wrong? Was God punishing him by interrupting his plans?" As far as I know, Luke Smallbone was faithfully serving the Lord and doing what God had called and gifted him to do. But the trial came to him and disrupted his life. In these moments of pain, we are tempted to think that God is being unfair to us. We are tempted to ask questions like, "Why is this happening to me while I am doing what God wants me to do with my life? Why does God allow this tragedy? Why are my family and I suffering and going through this painful trial?"

I am sure Joseph was having a hard time while in prison in Egypt. He had served Potiphar faithfully only to be falsely accused by Potiphar's wife and subsequently thrown into prison. But while in prison, Joseph did the right things. He accurately interpreted the dreams of his fellow prisoners. The one prisoner, the butler, was released, but sadly, he forgot Joseph. As a result, Joseph languished in prison for two more years.

Can you relate to Joseph? Have you suffered not for doing the wrong things but for doing what was right? If so, then you know how painful it is. In these moments, the Devil will surely tempt you to be angry with God. He will accuse God to you. He wants more than anything for you to be hurt and offended and turn away from the God who loves you. Can I encourage you to lean into God and not turn away from Him? God is working in ways you cannot see at the present. He surely was working in Joseph's life. The painful ordeal he was experiencing would serve as the stepping stones for him to become the right-hand man of the Pharaoh of Egypt. God uses tough circumstances in our lives to mold and shape us for the task He has for us.

I am reminded of these powerful lyrics from an old hymn: "Trials dark on every hand, and we cannot understand, all the ways that God would lead us to that blessed promised land, but He will guide with His eye, and we will follow till we die, and we will understand it better by and by."

Keep trusting God. He has a plan. He is working all things for your good (Romans 8:28).