facing our challenges with confidence IV How to Deal with misfortune. Pastor Crowder

                               "How to Deal with Misfortune."

Genesis 39:1-20

Joseph though he was sold as a slave by his brothers, had gained the full trust of his master, his masters wife unfortunatley caused him a great deal of misfortune. In a situation where we are slapped in the face though we are doing the "right" things, are we able to continue to put one foot in front of the other and trust God to carry us through?

I. Realize you are not alone
 a. Joseph was sold into slavery by his Jealous brothers. Not because he was living wrong.   His masters wife tempted him and he refused she told her husband and Joseph was thrown in jail.   But he was not alone! He knows this! Genesis 39:21   Paul had many misfortunes in his service as well, 2nd Corinthians 11:24-29 (and these people wanna prospeirty preach?) but Paul also knows that the Lord is with him, Timothy 4:16-17     as we go through life realize that misfortunes WILL happen, but remember God is with you, He will never forsake you even if everyone of the flesh may.

II. The immediate evaluation is not always accurate. when we begin to face misfortunes in life there are other factors that cloud our evaluation, all the racing thoughts the stress and worry, the scrambling to try and fix the situations quickly... stop, calm down, then evaluate with a clear head. Joseph went through this as well, bet his first thought when his brothers threw him in a pit, "this can't get any worse" then ito did... sold into slavery, what else? facing execution because of his masters wife. At the beginning everything was all bad, but what was the end result? He became the second in command of Egypt. Genesis 45:5 Lifes ups and downs can definetly get confusing and cause stress. But never forget that God is with you. What could He be pruning and preparing you for?

III. Refuse to cop out. Many people cop out: a. They find a scapegoat b. They get angry (mad at the world) c. They turn to artificial props like alchol d. They blame God

IV. React with a positive attitude. Though it is hard to have a positive attitude during misfortunes, you MUST bounce back and regain that positive attitude in order to not let yourself be dragged into the position to cop out. Look at the people that have kept a positive attitude through their misfortunes, and what they accomplished Thomas Edison, Helen Keller, George Fredrick Händel.

V. Remember Gods future. Romans 8:18 Paul was riddled with suffering but knew that God had a plan.

VI. Remain faithful to the task. When misfortune strikes God wants us to continue living as His children, and continue sharing the good news. Who knows how He will use you in His plan, you never will unless you stay faithful to the task.

Created over 1 year ago