Take the High Road

Day 19: Genesis 41:47:1-44:34

Paybacks can be brutal; especially if the wrongdoer is needing a favor from the one she has hurt.

Joseph has an opportunity to avenge the lies and deception of his brothers when they sold him into slavery and lied to their dad by saying that a wild animal attacked and killed him. 

 

Instead of wasting his time moping about his circumstances, Joseph finds a way to make lemonade out of lemons. He ultimately becomes the Governor of Egypt, only second to Pharaoh. 

 

Joseph never complains about the bad hand he was dealt or pointed fingers at his awful brothers or never said that life isn't fair. He found a way to work through life's challenges and lived his best in the worst possible circumstances. 

 

When a famine hits the entire world, Joseph has an opportunity for payback. When his brothers arrived in Egypt to purchase grain, Joseph recognized his brother, but they did not recognize Joseph. 

 

Joseph played with the brothers a bit. He allowed them to sweat a bit and put them to the test. However, not one time did Joseph ever want them hurt or dead. He loved them deeply and will eventually have an awesome family reunion.

 

When we have an opportunity to get revenge, pray first. Don't allow our anger to cause sin. We must allow forgiveness to be the hallmark for our actions towards anyone who harms us. I understand that it will be hard, but it's the only right action to take. Finally, let go of the grudges that we've held for so long against people who have hurt us. Give it to God and allow him to destroy the negative so that relationships will deepen and improve.