DISGUISED AS STRUGGLES
Poor Joe. He grew up in a Middle Eastern country, and his childhood was a nightmare. His brothers hated him so much they sold him to human traffickers, who then sold him into slavery in a foreign land. He was falsely accused of rape, and imprisoned for years. Fortunately, while incarcerated, he connected with a high-ranking political figure. Joe treated him with kindness and aided him, until the man was freed. The official was restored to his position, and arranged for Joe’s release.
After thirteen years as a slave and prisoner, the nation’s leader pardoned Joe, and ultimately promoted him to prime minister! Joe forgave his family and brought them to his country, rescuing them from a famine in their homeland. Perhaps you recognize Joe’s story as that of Joseph in the Old Testament. Joseph’s life clearly illustrates this principle: Sometimes our greatest blessings come disguised as struggles.
From start to finish, God’s hand directed this entire thirteen-year ordeal, guiding it toward a prosperous outcome (Genesis 45:5-9). What Satan intended for evil, God used for good (Genesis 50:19). Had “Joe” not been sold as a slave and imprisoned, both he and his family might have perished in this devastating famine. Joseph’s struggles were the gift-wrapping for huge blessings that lay inside.
Consistently, we see this principle repeated in scripture—Moses, David, Esther… the list goes on. Their struggles opened the door for enormous blessings that followed. How about the cross? Christ’s anguish created the greatest blessing in history—the salvation of the human race.
Perhaps that’s what Jesus had in mind with the Beatitudes. He links bountiful blessings with stressful struggles, declaring “Blessed are the poor… those who hunger… mourn… and are persecuted” (Luke 6:20-22). From a human perspective, the poor, hungry, and persecuted appear to be anything but blessed. Yet sometimes our greatest blessings come disguised as struggles.
As we struggle, how often do we think, “I don’t need this”? Well…evidently we do. Our struggles prepare us for greatness. Every day, Linda are in the thick of this spiritual wrestling match. Without the stress and fear of dealing with her cancer, we wouldn’t be developing the qualities for the great blessings that lie ahead. We’re learning (slowly at times) patience, humility, and unconditional love—lessons acquired in the furnace of affliction. But we’re hopeful. Because we truly believe that sometimes our greatest blessings come disguised as struggles.
Principle: Sometimes our greatest blessings come disguised as struggles.
Ponder:
When have you experienced a blessing which was disguised as a struggle?
How can you be better prepared to face the struggles of life?
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study the life of Joseph in Genesis 37-50.
Prayer: Lord, you see the end before the beginning in every situation. Help me to trust you in the midst of my struggles—that you have great blessings already prepared for me, as a result of my suffering.