We’ve all been there. We can’t make sense out of the things coming at us. We are following hard after Jesus and out of nowhere we are sidelined with something we didn’t expect. It can come in many forms. Hatred, jealousy, anger, disease, disaster…

But what do we do when that happens? How do we react?

I will be the first to admit that I have to step back, evaluate, and take a moment. My first reaction isn’t always the best reaction.

Whatever you might face as you try to live in accordance to God’s words and truth, remember that He is still there. In the midst of the pain He is present. In the midst of the confusion He has not left your side.

He can take what the enemy means for evil against you and turn it for good. He is always, always, always working. We may not see it or feel it, but He is.

The story of Joseph comes to mind. His father loved him more than any of his other children. For this, the others hated him and were filled with jealousy. To make matters worse, Joseph shared dreams from God with them that disturbed them and made them despise him all the more.

Their reaction? They sold him into slavery and told their father he was killed by a wild animal.

Joseph found himself in Potiphar’s house. God was with him and he had success. Yet, while following in obedience to God he was falsely accused and ended up in jail. Joseph continued to obey God, even in the midst of his prison cell, and allowed God to use him while he suffered. Eventually, Joseph found himself out of prison as the right hand man of Egypt who was able to save an entire nation. And, guess what? That vision God had given Joseph as a teenager was eventually brought to fruition (See the story Genesis 37-46).

In short, just remember, continue to stand with God and follow hard after Him, even when life circumstances seem brutally unfair. God has not left your side. He may be working a greater plan that you can see.

“Now, therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God…” ~ Genesis 45:8