Genesis 50:20; Genesis 47:12

What difference does it make in your life when you can see divine purpose in your suffering?

"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." (Genesis 50:20)

"12 And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father’s household, with bread, according to their families." (Genesis 47:12)

And here's the introductory commentary to this week's reading assignment: "March 16–22: “God Meant It unto Good” Genesis 42–50" :

"It had been about 22 years since Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. Joseph had suffered many trials, including false accusations and imprisonment. When he finally saw his brothers again, Joseph was the governor of all Egypt, second only to the pharaoh. He could easily have taken revenge on his brothers, and considering what they had done to Joseph, that might seem understandable. And yet Joseph forgave them. Not only that, but he helped them see divine purpose in his suffering. “God meant it unto good” (Genesis 50:20), he told them, because it put him in a position to save “all his father’s household” (Genesis 47:12) from famine.

In many ways, Joseph was like Jesus Christ. Even though our sins caused Jesus great suffering, He offers forgiveness, delivering all of us from a fate far worse than famine. Whether we need to receive forgiveness or extend it—at some point we all need to do both—Joseph’s example points us to the Savior, the true source of healing and reconciliation."

Jesus is indeed the true source of healing and reconciliation. He carried all our pains and sorrows. With His stripes, we are healed. And from time to time, we do need to receive forgiveness or extend it. I'm so grateful to Joseph for pointing us to Jesus Christ. 

The sufferings we all go through have purposes under God's divine plan. My heartbreak not only shaped me into becoming the right person and eventually attracted and married the right person for me, but it also enabled me to help others who are going through heartbreaks and desire to attract and marry the right person for them. Seeing these divine purposes of my suffering has made me so grateful for the painful experience I went through.