You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Have you ever wondered why bad things happen to good people?  Have you ever thought to yourself “I don’t deserve this”?  It can be very discouraging when, even though you try to do good, bad circumstances manifest in our lives.  Hard times can even deflate our motivation to do good.  Before we grow tired of doing good in the midst of bad, we must remember that what the evil one intended to harm us, God can use that very situation for our benefit.  Romans 8:28 tells us that all things work together for good to those that love God.

God is all powerful.  No bad thing has more power than God.  It is in the hard times of life that God’s power is most evident.  If nothing bad ever happened in life, we may never fully understand the massive power of God.

The ways of God are a mystery to us.  We may never fully understand the bad things that happen to us but its all a part of God’s plan.  God’s providence is perfect.  Everything that happens in our life can serve His purpose.  God can use the bad things that happen to us, even use the bad things that we might do, and turn it around and make good come out of it.

Joseph’s brothers were scared because of the bad things that they had done to Joseph.  They were afraid of what retaliation Joseph may bring upon them.  Their livelihood was now dependent upon a man who they had treated very badly.  However, all that they had done to Joseph was a part of God’s providence.  Without those experiences, Joseph would not have ended up where he did.  Although Joseph experienced many hardships, he was delivered so that he could serve God’s purpose.  Those bad times did not conquer Joseph, he was delivered.

God used Joseph’s bad experiences not only for Joseph’s benefit but for the saving of many.  Had Joseph not taken all of the turns of providence, both good and bad, it is likely that many would have starved to death.  Sometimes our bad experiences are bigger than our own suffering.  There just may be a larger purpose that will benefit many people.  We can be confident that when bad things invade our lives, God can show his power and make good come from bad.  The next time you are facing a bad situation, be strong in the Lord and remember that something good like you wouldn’t believe can come out of this bad situation.