Genesis 45:8 So it was God who sent me here not you! And he is the one who made me an advisor to Pharaoh -Tte manager of his entire palace and the governor of all Egypt (NLT).

This was Joseph speaking to his brothers: First, revealing his identity to them and then letting them know that he considered it to be God’s hand as to his being there in Egypt and not theirs. He recognized God’s hand of provision in his situation. Joseph had been away from his family for years. He had spent years as a slave and in prison yet his heart was not hard or cold. He saw God at work and had gratitude and peace with that.

Although Joseph’s brothers’ initial offense is what began all of his hardship, Joseph gave credit to God’s sovereignty for his life situation and acted in love and not bitterness.

It’s almost comical to look at a situation from the back end, clearly seeing all the benefits and growth you have received from the latest storm you have persevered through. You can see God’s sovereignty in it all, how He used different pieces of it to refine you and draw you closer to Him. Terrible, sad situations that God uses to shine His glory through, and in the post phase you get excited when you look back at how things you thought were going to cripple you, strengthened you.

I get so excited when I see God;s hand in my life, which is not always apparent to me until the dust settles. This past year I went through a really sad and unsettling situation.  My heart was grieved for many months. As I moved through it moment by moment I clung to God, and His promises, learning to trust Hhim more and more. There were so many changes in my life it was hard to keep up at times. I did the best I could and just continued to move forward while yielding always to the Lord even when it was most difficult. So here I am on the other side of this situation that I thought just might do me in. And I must proclaim God is good. So many things have changed in me through this. I have recognized how fortunate I am to have my family, my precious husband, our home, a car to drive, food in the fridge, friends and, a beautiful faith family, a heart of gratitude, a deeper love for God’s Word, a desire to know Him more, a strengthened trust and faith that has been tested, a healthier way of thinking, more compassion for the lost and hurting and a more passionate approach to train my children in the truth. No, life is not perfect still a lot of warts here but I am different, my heart is different.

Although I am so grateful and glad for where we are at, had God come to me last year and said, “Kim I would like to do heart surgery by these certain means, would you just give me a verbal OK.” I would have looked at all it entailed and said “No Thank You Lord I am good,” even though I was not good. But had He presented the outcome I may have willingly gone along. That isn’t how God does things though. He didn’t show Joseph when he was sold into slavery and He didn’t show me. But I am thankful just like Joseph was for God’s plan.

Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (NLT) .

Kim M. Spicer
WOC Graduate