God Meant It For Good

Life is full of challenges, difficulties, and moments that leave us wondering why. We face struggles that can bring survivor’s guilt or severe hardships, yet through it all, God guides us. Keep reading to discover how to navigate these challenges in life.

One biblical example of perseverance through adversity is the story of Joseph. Joseph lived with his father and brothers, but his brothers resented him because he was their father’s favorite. One day, as they were preparing for work, Joseph told them about a dream he had. In the dream, they were binding sheaves of grain in the field, and his brothers’ sheaves bowed down to his. This angered them, and after Joseph shared another similar dream, their resentment only grew.

Eventually, his brothers conspired against him, saying, "Let's kill him." However, his older brother Reuben intervened, insisting, "Surely we shall not do such a thing—he is our own flesh and blood." The others agreed not to kill Joseph, but when Reuben was not around, they tied him up, threw him into a pit, and sold him as a slave. To cover up their actions, they smeared goat’s blood on his coat of many colors and deceived their father, claiming that a wild beast had killed him.

Joseph was taken to Egypt, where he became a slave to Potiphar, an Egyptian soldier. One day, while Potiphar was away, his wife attempted to seduce Joseph, but he was a righteous man and refused. Enraged, she falsely accused him of trying to assault her, and Potiphar, believing her, had Joseph thrown into prison.

Despite these hardships, Joseph eventually gained favor and was freed, becoming Pharaoh’s right-hand man. Through divine guidance, Egypt prepared for a coming famine by storing food for seven years. When the famine struck, Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt seeking food. After a series of events, Joseph revealed his true identity to them. They were terrified, knowing how terribly they had treated him, but he forgave them. He invited his family to live in Egypt, where they prospered for four hundred years—until the time of Moses, but that is a story for another time.

A well-known modern parallel to Joseph’s story is the journey of Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars.

Anakin grew up on the desert planet of Tatooine, where he met Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and helped destroy a Trade Federation ship. He later became a Jedi apprentice and, over the years, fell in love with Padmé Amidala. However, his journey took a dark turn—he killed the Sith Lord Count Dooku, succumbed to temptation, and became a Sith himself. Betraying the Jedi, he slaughtered many of them, only to be gravely injured and reborn as Darth Vader.

Years later, his son Luke confronted him and Emperor Palpatine, searching for the good still left in him. In the end, Anakin’s final act was one of redemption—he destroyed the Emperor, sacrificing his own life and restoring balance to the Force.

Both Joseph and Anakin’s stories remind us that troubles abound, but God's plan prevails. Romans 8:28 tells 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." No matter the hardship, God can turn any situation for good.