5 Next Steps To Overcoming Tough TimesSample

Step 2: Learn To Forgive

We have all been wronged, betrayed, or taken advantage of at least a time or two. We may have memories of a painful experience or event with another person that still bother us today. Whether you’ve been hurt by a family member, friend, coworker, boss or a spouse, it’s time to forgive and let it go. 

Unforgiveness has the power to keep us from moving forward while the person we are angry with has moved on with his or her life. While they are free, we are held captive by memories and emotions that continue to drain us of energy and ambition. 

The story of Joseph is compiled with betrayal, forgiveness, and resilience. He was a young man that had a great dream from God that had him headed towards a great destiny. When he told his dreams to his brothers, they became very jealous of him and his dreams.

They soon devised a plan to get rid of Joseph that began with them throwing him into a pit and then selling him into slavery. This started a snowball effect of things definitely going in a polar opposite direction of what Joseph’s dreams reflected. But God used this unfortunate journey to promote Joseph to the position of leadership that He intended all along. Joseph went from being in a pit, to slavery, to prison and then ended up in a palace and second in command to Pharaoh.

At the end of the story it’s very evident that Joseph had forgiven his brothers and was now in a position of leadership in which he could provide for them and his household. It was his willingness to reach a place of forgiveness that allowed him to keep dreaming of a better day and reach his destiny.