Fear Not! A Guide to Living a Fearless Lifeਨਮੂਨਾ

It’s Not What Happens to You

“‘But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.’ And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them” (Genesis 50:20-21, NKJV).

As soon as Jacob passed away, Joseph’s brothers feared for their lives. They knew as long as their father lived, they were safe. But how do they stand now? Would little brother want some payback?

Think about Joseph and his situation. His half-brothers hated him. Joseph’s mother had died when she was giving birth to his brother Benjamin. At seventeen years old, he was sold into slavery. Joseph was a slave in a foreign land with people who spoke a different language. And in his day, there was no Bible to turn to for guidance. So how does one not carry unforgiveness, especially toward siblings who hated him?

Epictetus, a former slave who was given his freedom and went on to become a Greek philosopher once said, “It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters." His story has some parallels to Joseph and both made something good out of a bad situation. Joseph could have chosen to carry a victim mentality. Instead, he chose to forgive, and because he did, God was able to use him.

Jesus said, “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14-15, NIV). So if we harbor unforgiveness for any reason, our sins will not be forgiven. “For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you" (Luke 6:38, NKJV).

Has something really bad happened to you? Maybe something that was so awful the world would tell you that you have a right to be a victim. The Lord wants you to know you don’t have to be a victim; you can be an overcomer. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21, NKJV).

Prayer: Jesus, You said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33, NIV). Thank You for the story of Joseph and how he overcame evil. Help me to have a forgiving heart like him. Beginning today, I will look for and find the good in every situation, and will no longer be a victim. Because You overcame the world, I will fear no evil! In Jesus name, amen.