November 28, 2012 (Wednesday)
Bryan Adams wrote a song that gives us hope. Here’s a verse of it:
Are you lonely?
Are you Crying?
Are those teardrops in your eyes
is it more blues, is is bad news,
is it a curse?, or a blessing in disguise?
Joseph was almost murdered, but was sold as a slave instead, after spending a night of terror in a deep, dark pit. Slave traders took him to Egypt, where he seemed to be doing well for a while, but after being falsely accused, found himself in prison for a number of years. That would be a terribly sad story were it not for “the rest of the story.” Not only was he released from prison, but he became Prime Minister of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. At the zenith of his power, those who sold him into slavery were brought before him. Instead of killing them, he forgave them, saying, “you thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good” (Genesis 50:20). All his troubles had been blessings in disguise.
I wanted to go to college with my friends in East Texas, but allergies to something in that area caused me to have asthma so bad that I was unable to attend classes. Sick and disheartened, I dropped out of school after half a semester, and started all over again, after Thanksgiving, at Baylor in Waco, Texas, where I did not have asthma. Because of that change, the entire remainder of my life was changed. God gave me a life of service to Him, a wonderful family, and a bright future. The unpleasant days of illness had been blessings in disguise.
“In order to see the rainbow, you may first endure some rain!”
For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord…plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).