Redefining Success

One thing almost everyone can agree on is that life is not always going to be rosy and ideal. Besides unavoidable sufferings, we also experience heartbreak and offences caused by man. The truth is offences will always happen (Luke 17:1) – we cannot control the actions of others but we can control how we respond.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials

James 1:2

It seems almost un-empathetic to tell someone to “count it all joy” (KJV) or “consider it pure joy” (NLT) when they are going through a difficult time. More specifically, it’s not easy to see the joy when someone, particularly someone you trust, offends you. Perhaps some of you reading this are currently navigating a heartbreak or betrayal of some form. It may seem insensitive to tell you to count it all joy but this is a command from God. And I am learning that every command from God comes with purpose – it is always to make us better.

He [Joseph] maintained a good character and continued to walk in the fear of God despite having every reason to excuse erratic behaviour

Personally, I have seen the fruits of considering it pure joy when someone betrays my trust. A life that has helped me navigate offences, is the life of Joseph. He experienced utter betrayal by his brothers who envied him and sold him to be a slave. What has always challenged me is the way Joseph responded to all of this – he maintained a good character and continued to walk in the fear of God despite having every reason to excuse erratic behaviour. Joseph stayed focused on the vision God had given him for his life and he allowed this difficult season to prepare him for his future. Yes, it did take many years and perhaps there were some moments Joseph recalled the pain his brothers had inflicted on him. But eventually we see how God restored Joseph’s life to the point he said “God helped him forget all his troubles and all about his father’s family” (Genesis 41:51).

Discouragement and bitterness often cause us to lose perspective and make short-sighted decisions.

I often doubt whether Joseph would have experienced such a restoration if he had not maintained a good character during his difficult season. Perhaps if he had given up on the vision and thought what’s the point, he would have given in to Potiphar’s wife attempts to sleep with him – consequently, diverting him from his destiny. Discouragement and bitterness often cause us to lose perspective and make short-sighted decisions.

As Christians, God has called us to a higher standard

As Christians, God has called us to a higher standard. He has called us to forgive those who don’t deserve it. In fact, he goes further and commands us to “bless” and “pray” for the people who hurt us (Luke 6:26). It makes no sense to the human mind and is extremely difficult to practice humanly speaking. But I am convinced that the grace of God is sufficient for us (2 Corinthians 12:9) and if we ask for such a heart, God will give it to us. Jesus was betrayed by the ones that he made (that’s you and me), yet he counted it all joy because now we get to have a direct relationship with the Father.

You cannot count it all joy if you do not believe there is a reward on the other side of the offence

You cannot count it all joy if you do not believe there is a reward on the other side of the offence. This is why it is key to have a vision for your life. There isn’t time to be harbouring offences when you know you’re on a mission. Life is urgent and we have been called to be about our Father’s business (Luke 2:49). Offences will surely come but God has promised to “help us in our weaknesses” (Romans 8:26). He is with us every step of the way and I am convinced that offences are an opportunity for God to pour out his blessings on us. How will you respond to offences?

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5 September 2019 at 08:24

There was purpose in Joseph’s trials

his individual trials and pain was used to help a whole land of Egypt. Wow.

There was potential in his pain and tbh his composure during his trials determined the outcome. He could’ve blamed God and slept with that woman and sin but he didn’t

He was sure of the God he served

Therefore the legitimate purpose was fulfilled from his trials not a distorted one

He didn’t blame his brothers. He was like God sent me here

You sold me as a slave but God brought me here. To where I needed to be to facilitate purpose.

Further reading

• Genesis 37 to Genesis 50
• Luke 6:26
• Romans 12:9-21 (highly recommend)
• James 1:2
• Colossians 3:13
• Finding the beauty in the process of becoming