Reeling from a Difficult Situation

Have you ever been going along in life doing the right thing, living the right way and then all of a sudden, BAM!—someone close to you, someone you really trusted turns on you with a vengeance? They begin persecuting you through their lies, gossip, and deceit? You find yourself reeling from the difficult situation that you have fallen into, unaware of what has really taken place?

I recall a similar situation that happened to me a number of years back. Several area ministry leaders had joined with me to help the needy in the inner-city. We were feeding, clothing and housing a great number of people. With the help of several area churches, I started a ministry center and shelter to increase our capability of reaching the growing number of people. I also started a church focused upon these “street people.” The ministry grew tremendously and the church was running well over a hundred people three or four services a week.

Then, all of a sudden, BAM!—the brothers who were so close to me became upset by the progress and growth of the new ministry center. They began to accuse me of hurting their ministries with this new ministry. The talk began to circulate; a great deal of criticism and talk began going on behind the scenes from some of these so-called brothers. I began to feel so alone. The enemy’s attacks increased but GOD continued to prosper the work until their influence began to reach city hall which opened up a whole new set of issues.

As I consider all this, I think about how Joseph must have felt. His brothers turned against him and sold him out. His owner in Egypt, whom he had served so well, had him imprisoned on false charges. He had to have felt so alone imprisoned in a foreign land and yet we find he really wasn’t alone. The Scripture tells us: “the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him. He granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden” (Genesis 39:21 HCSB). In his darkest hour, Jesus was there with him.

In your darkest hour, Jesus will always be there. When it seems everyone has turned against you, Jesus will be there. Use those moments to draw close to Him and to find your security within Him. Draw your strength from Him. The dark of the night will soon dawn a new day as Jesus brings you out in a victorious way.

Scripture Reading: “The Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him. He granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. The warden put all the prisoners who were in the prison under Joseph’s authority, and he was responsible for everything that was done there. The warden did not bother with anything under Joseph’s authority, because the Lord was with him, and the Lord made everything that he did successful” (Genesis 39:21-23 HCSB).

Prayer: Father in heaven, life can get so lonely at times. People can be so cruel at times. Understanding why can be more than I can know. Those who seem to be so close become so far. The gossip, the talk, the hurt and pain can be overwhelming at times. LORD, I pray that You give the me the ability to stand strong, to stand firm and to simply know that You are always there and You are working out the victory that is on its way for me. Thank You, LORD! I love You!…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!