In Genesis 50:20, Joseph responds to the treatment from his brothers by saying, “You meant evil against me, but God used it for good.” Most of us have read the story of Joseph (and his coat of many colors). We know that Joseph was the baby boy and the apple of his father’s eye. He had dreams that some day he would reign over his brothers. Now we all know that if our younger siblings think that’s going to happen, they are sadly mistaken. If there is to be any reigning over anyone it will be the eldest over the younger siblings. Needless to say, when Joseph revealed his dreams to his brothers, they were not happy and began to question why Joseph thought he was so special. The brothers conspired to kill him, and they stripped Joseph of his multi-colored robe and threw him into a pit. They eventually sold him into slavery to a Medianite trader, and took his torn jacket to his father.
Joseph, the slave, found favor with his Egyptian master and became the overseer of the house, and everything was well until Potiphar, the master’s wife, made advances toward Joseph. His refusal resulted in him being falsely accused and thrown into prison. In prison, Joseph found favor and was put in charge of all the prisoners. Joseph soon found favor with Pharaoh because he could interpret his dreams, and he was rewarded and began to prepare for life and the famine that was to come. How did Joseph survive all of this? In each situation, God was with Joseph. Joseph did not exact revenge; he forgave and loved.
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where other individuals mean to cause you harm or suffering? It doesn’t have to be deadly suffering; it could be as simple as emotional distress or unhappiness. The harm doesn’t have to come from a family member; it may come from a co-worker, a neighbor, a best friend, or a stranger. Intentional harm from anyone that is hurtful and meant to cause disruption, interference, doubt, fear, and unhappiness is done in the spirit of evilness. However, before you get depressed thinking about such a situation, remember all the times you have overcome. You overcame because God was protecting and walking with you through the journey that others intended for hurtful purposes.
I recently found myself in a situation where every move I made, everything I said, and every goal I tried to accomplish was being reported to a member in personnel. Every effort seemed to be thwarted by someone who wanted to insure that I would never be successful in my role. I have had to ask myself why and what purpose did it serve to destroy my attempts to achieve? Perhaps, it was a power struggle, jealousy, or self-misery. I will never understand the motivation behind the actions, but I do know the feeling of frustration in not seeing any positivity in the situation.
Learning that there are people who have a loyalty to the wrong person or cause gave me time to think. It is sad not to have the kind of confidence and integrity that would allow others to see the good in a person. What’s sadder is the insecurity of man that causes him to lash out in sheer meanness to make himself feel better. How disappointing that unfulfilled life goals create an inferiority complex that turns into a domineering, overzealous, dictatorship personality. We all have taken journeys and dealt with multiple personalities that we did not understand, but at the end of it our personal growth explains why the journey was needed.
In this time of being placed in a dark workplace pit, I listened to God and discovered that my “joy” was gone. Why did I need this journey? I found my answer. Despite the obvious obstacles, I walk away with my faith strengthened, my reflection fruitful, and my integrity untarnished. My final realization is that through it all the Lord has been with me. For every ugly, underhanded move that was meant to unveil incompetence, shatter confidence, and annihilate a reputation, God helped me find my passion again and turned this experience into something memorable and meaningful.
I have closure in this workplace. I do not have to hold a grudge against my oppressors or be angry because I take comfort in Matthew 5:44 (ESV) “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.“
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