Prepared By Your Past

We often view our current challenges as opportunities to strengthen our faith, and rightly so! However, when it comes to our past, especially the painful parts, we tend to want to bury it, run from it, or deny it altogether, believing it has no purpose but to cause us misery. Yes, there may have been some difficult seasons, but it's important to remember that God can use your past to prepare you.

The story of Joseph in the Old Testament is a prime example of how God can use your past powerfully, even during troublesome times. Joseph's story is documented primarily in the book of Genesis from chapters 37-50, with additional references throughout the Bible. We discover that Joseph's brothers, driven by jealousy, fabricated a lie about his well-being to their father to cover up the fact that they sold him into slavery. Through a series of events and many years, Joseph endured the pain of being separated from his family, falsely accused, and forgotten, but we see this phrase repeated, "But the Lord was with Joseph."
God was with Joseph during those tough years, preparing him for something extraordinary. In the latter part of his ordeal, while sitting at the bottom of a prison that resulted from unjust imprisonment, Joseph was called upon to interpret Pharaoh's dream. In doing so, Joseph proved his resourcefulness and clear connection to God, which led to his promotion as Egypt's Prime Minister!

Those same brothers who left Joseph for dead were now in need themselves because of a severe famine that hit the land, leading them to go to Egypt for help. Thinking Joseph would exact revenge, the brothers were terrified when they found out Joseph was in charge, but their suspicion was wrong. Listen to how Joseph processed his past, even his pain!

Genesis 50:19-21 says, "But Joseph said to them, 'Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.' And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them."

Like Joseph, God can use your past to bless you with promotion, position, power, prosperity, and, most importantly, His peace. Remember, your past prepares you to serve God's purposes.