Don't Give Up!Sample

Joseph

If you think your family has problems, you should hear about a man named Joseph. He had eleven brothers from four different mothers. He was the favorite, so his brothers hated him. When he was seventeen years old, they pretended he had been eaten by a wild animal and sold him into slavery.

In Egypt, Joseph was falsely accused of trying to have an affair with his master’s wife. He was thrown into prison and forgotten. He had every reason to become bitter, angry, and unforgiving, but he did not. The Lord blessed him abundantly and eventually allowed him to rise from prison to become one of the top leaders in Egypt.

Joseph later forgave his family and helped them survive during a terrible famine by giving them food, land, and a second chance. This is such a powerful story of trust, mercy, and grace. I encourage you to read the full account in Genesis 37–50.

Don’t Give Up.

Is there conflict in your family? These three simple words are for you: don’t give up. People will hurt you. They will disappoint you, dislike you, and accuse you. As you walk through these trials, I have three pieces of advice. First, allow the Lord to fight your battles. Second, use this season to grow closer to Him. Go to Him with your pain. Third, pray for the people who have hurt you. Scripture reminds us that our battles are spiritual, and you do not know what those individuals may be facing.

Like Joseph, refuse to become bitter, angry, or unforgiving. View these challenges as opportunities to grow spiritually and trust the Lord to deliver you.