SCRIPTURE:

2 Chronicles 16:9
9 For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

Matthew 5:16
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

DEVO:

Did you ever experience a fight at school? Do you remember how it went down? Someone says something offensive or demeaning and then petty banter ensues. Soon the mild chatter escalates to a forceful shove in the chest from one party. By that point, a few people have congregated to see what was going on and “oooohh’s” erupt from the crowd. Then one person starts it, “fight, fight, fight.” Before you know it, the scene has erupted in loud chanting and heads from up and down the hallway snap to attention to see what is going down. Literally everyone is enthralled. It’s amazing how everyone — no matter his or her beliefs on violence — turns and looks when the fight breaks out.

Joseph’s life seemed to be no exception to this rule. When the fight broke out, he captured people’s attention — but in a more subtle manner. You see, his tragedy wasn’t a public one. He was sold into slavery, confined to a lonely existence with no family and no one to look out for him. Even so, he had the attention of one very powerful man — his boss, Potiphar. Why was this man of prestige and political influence so enraptured by Joseph? Because of how Joseph responded to his plight.

Rather than throwing himself a pity party or throwing in the towel on life because of his situation, Joseph was determined to make the most of it. He seemed to live out the principle that you can’t control what happens to you, but you can control how you respond to what happens to you. Genesis 39:2-4 indicates that Joseph found favor with Potiphar because in everything he put his hand to, God gave him success. Joseph seemed to recognize that being a good steward of whatever was put in front of him was going to be more beneficial to him than sulking. He knew God wasn’t going to waste his pain, and he refused to waste any himself.

I want you to understand that your pain is an opportunity to influence others. Though it may not seem this way, it is a platform to steward. Like a fight breaking out in the school cafeteria, when the fight breaks out in your life people snap their heads to attention and watch to see how you’re going to respond. These moments in the aftermath of your tragedy are some of the best moments to make a positive impact on those around you and begin finding immediate redemption in your pain. Not only that, but God is watching and seeking to reward those who walk well through pain and hardship. It’s apparent that Joseph held to a deep resolve that the Lord, even here, even in the pit, was working it all out for his good. This inner peace in the midst of turmoil spoke volumes to the people watching Joseph. God’s peace in your life will do the same as others observe you stewarding your “pain platform” well.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND JOURNALING:

1. Who have you noticed is watching you and taking cues from you during this time of adversity? 

2. In what ways have you stewarded this pain well? In what ways do you think you could steward it better?

PRAYER:

Lord, I know that you’ve stewarded this story to me for a reason. You have entrusted it to me in order to help others who are going through difficult times. Help me to not waste an ounce of this season. Help me to put my hand to the plow and partner with you in the redemption process in order to better help others who may be watching how I handle this.