What May Seem Like Suffering...

Based on Genesis 49-50, Matthew 13:31-58

"Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall: The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him: But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)" Genesis 49:22‭-‬24.

Joseph was fruitful from the beginning. He wasn't born with "bad luck" as some people may say, considering all that happened to him...since Joseph stayed faithful to God through all the hatred and difficult situations, Joseph always came out strong! God actually used all those things for an important purpose! JOSEPH REMAINED FRUITFUL BECAUSE HE REMAINED FAITHFUL! What may seem like suffering might actually be leading to a victory! Joseph was able to receive great blessings & prophecies from his father before his father died! So much was birthed out of the pain!

Just think about childbirth! After the pain, our lives are touched & changed forever by the gift of that life...and through all Joseph went through, he was even able to touch the hearts of the Egyptians! They grieved with him through his father's death:

"And forty days were fulfilled for him; for so are fulfilled the days of those which are embalmed: and the Egyptians mourned for him threescore and ten days." Genesis 50:3.

The mourning connection between Joseph and the Egyptians was even recognized by the Canaanites:

"And when the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning in the floor of Atad, they said, This is a grievous mourning to the Egyptians: wherefore the name of it was called Abel–mizraim, which is beyond Jordan." Genesis 50:11.

His brethren even fell down before him once again, ensuring they were forgiven & safe from Joseph turning on them...but Joseph acted in a godly way! God never turns on us, and so Joseph didn't turn on his brothers! God is with us, even when we are suffering! And He is able to use those situations in mighty, miraculous ways!

"But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."
Genesis 50:20.

So much abuse & physical hurt happened to Jesus, yet it was used to save all people when we are baptized in water & Spirit today! So remember, what may seem like suffering might actually become a victory!