**The following notes & summary are live-blogged by Tony Kummer from Ministry-To-Children. This presentation was one part of the 2011 Lifeway Kids Ministry Conference. Click here to see more coverage from this event.
Facing Difficulties like Joseph – Pete Wilson (website | twitter)
What do you do when life doesn\’t turn out like you want? We all have dreams, but the reality doesn\’t line up with that picture. Do you ever have those moments where you ask God, “Why me?” The greatest illusion we have in our life is the illusion of control. This is what Joseph experienced in his trails. Many Christians assume in those situations is that God is not with them. The message of Scripture is that God is most powerfully present in those situations. “The Lord was with Joseph.”
When faced with further trials and temptations Joseph showed integrity. “Don’t ever abandon your God-given values in pursuit of your God-given values.” His actions show that he was confident that God was with him. Joseph finds himself in prison for something he never did. We are called to be faithful to God even when it feels like He has not been faithful to us.
Sometimes we treat God like a cosmic vending machine, that if we just jump through the right religious hoops he will have to give us what we want. That’s why we need to get to the place where Joseph was, trusting God despite his circumstances.
So often we\’re haunted by things that God could have done in our lives, but he didn\’t. He could have done something to protect us from suffering, but for some reason he didn\’t. We all have a really important decision – will I put my faith in God’s identity or in your circumstances. When you find yourself in a situation where I feel like God doesn\’t know or care, then you remember what the Scripture says and put your faith in who is says God is. “He will never leave me or forsake me.”
Leave a Reply