Have you ever had something come along and totally knock you off your feet. Everything seemed to be going just as planned, and then all of the sudden... BAMMMM. How do you handle it when something happens that is totally unfair or unexpected and you are left on the side of the road wounded and hurting? You and I both know people that have been wounded by someone, that have experienced loss, been in an accident and are hurting, betrayed by a close friend, etc. I want to give a few words of encouragement today to the hurting and also to those that God wants to use to help the hurting person in their life. In Genesis 37 and following we find the story of Joseph. He was the favored son of Jacob and hated by his brothers. His brothers hated him to the point that they contemplated killing him, instead they sold him into slavery. (Thanks a lot!) Joseph ended up in the house of one of Pharaoh's officials named Potiphar. That made a bad situation better until Potiphar's wife falsely accused him of trying to sexually assault her. He was thrown in jail. (Thanks a lot!) While in jail, he was treated kindly by the jailer and made some friends. That made a worse situation better until his friends were released from jail, though they had promised to put a good word in for Joseph with their boss, the King of Egypt, they forgot. (Thanks a lot!) Over and over, Joseph seemed to get the raw end of the deal. But Scripture records something that we all need to remember. In Genesis 39, it says, "The Lord was with Joseph" four different times. Here is what I want you to hear today, even though circumstances might be horrible, and people may betray or hurt you, be encouraged that the Lord is with you. The Bible says that God will never leave nor forsake those who have placed their faith in Jesus. Your circumstances may not change. Joseph was accused wrongly and was imprisoned; but the Lord was with him. Joseph stayed in jail for a long time; but the Lord was with him. Joseph was forgotten by his friends; but the Lord was with him. Your hurt may remain, but be encouraged today that the Lord, who comforts, encourages, and strengthens us, will always be with you. Keep your eyes on Him and not on your circumstances. Today, I want you to trust in the Lord and bank on the fact that He will see you through what you are going through. Action point: Go to Psalm 23 and read it in light of your hurts, disappointments, and regrets. Meditate on your Shepherd's great love for you. LGLO, Joel
