Moving Toward Forgiveness by Wendy AlsupNäide

Joseph spent decades separated from his family, betrayed by his brothers. But a miracle happened. In the desert of his life, God made him fruitful. Joseph named his son Ephraim (“fruitful”) because he had been fruitful in the land of his affliction when he had no hope of ever seeing his family again.

We naturally want to be freed from our affliction and rescued from the situation that weighs us down. But God can supernaturally turn deserts into gardens. Even when we are weeping, we can take our little bags of seed and keep sowing them with hope. 

We will, he promises, eventually harvest fruit with songs of joy. 

• How did God bless Joseph and make him fruitful during the times before he was reconciled with his brothers? 
• What fruit of the Spirit is God growing in you through the broken relationship in your life? How might that fruit be a testimony to those watching how you live out this relationship? 
• As you ask God to help you extend forgiveness, what evidence of freedom and fruitfulness are you seeing in your life? Where do you long to see more fruit?