Lessons from Joseph: Dealing with Adversity

Genesis 50:20

(Gen 50:20) 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.

There are many lessons that can be learned from looking at the lives of various biblical characters. Over the last several weeks we have been looking at Joseph's life. I want us to look again this evening and learn a lesson of how to deal with adversity. When we think of a biblical character that was faced with adversity, we often think of Job. He definitely was hit with much adversity, but for our study tonight we want to consider Joseph. Adversity is a general term that includes trouble, affliction, opposition, pressure, chastening, anguish, testing, or tribulation that is greater than our ability to resolve. When adversity comes to us we often think, "What have I done wrong?" "Why is God punishing me?" But this is wrong thinking! Adversity can be our greatest motivation for spiritual growth or our deadliest means of discouragement. The difference depends upon our understanding of God's purposes through adversity.

I. Sorrow

II. Acceptance of God's Plan.

III. Make the Best of the Situation.

How to we respond to adversity when it comes? Do we resist and fight against it or do we allow God to have His way in our lives?