Hard times can be good too

God trains and prepares us even in challenging times, just as He did with Joseph.

In Genesis 39:1-6, Joseph was sold as a slave to Potiphar, a situation that we can recognize as difficult. Yet, because God was with Joseph, he rose from slavery to become the overseer of Potiphar’s household. Potiphar entrusted everything to him, attending only to the food he ate (verse 6).

Though God was with Joseph, tribulation still found him. In the favour he gained with Potiphar came trials—specifically, Potiphar’s wife! This led to Joseph’s fall from Potiphar’s favour and his imprisonment. Nevertheless, God remained with Joseph, and in prison, he also found favour.

Verses 21-23 declare, “The Lord was with Joseph and blessed him so that the jailer was pleased with him…he put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and made him responsible for everything that was done in the prison. The jailer did not have to look after anything for which Joseph was responsible because the Lord was with Joseph and made him succeed in everything he did.”

Notice the pattern in Joseph’s life: he was always placed in charge, regardless of whether times were good or bad. God was effectively preparing Joseph for greater things. Ultimately, Joseph became a governor in Egypt, second only to the king (Genesis 41:37-44).

Reflect on Joseph’s journey. In his good times at Potiphar’s house, he led, indicating God’s training for his future. Similarly, in the adversity of prison, he was appointed leader, again preparing him for his future role as governor.

What does God wish to teach us today? Regardless of your circumstances, if you remain righteous and place your trust in Him, God will use every situation to prepare you for future glory. If you are destined for greatness, He will equip you, and that preparation may arise from any place—whether in the palace or the prison. Hardships test our character and mold us. Consider: without imprisonment, how would Joseph have encountered the king’s servant who ultimately spoke of him to the king?

God reassures us that as long as our hearts are aligned with Him and we love Him, our struggles are tools for teaching, molding, and preparing us. When we reach our destiny, we’ll be fully equipped to rule!

As Romans 8:28 reminds us, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”

God bless you!