Last night a small group of men who are using the curriculum called Every Man a Warrior met. There are three of these small groups meeting throughout the week. The one I lead on Saturday mornings has been disconnected from the other two because they are led by the same man. This man is a regional director for the organization behind this curriculum. We met so we could socialize for a brief time and then watch a video which told the story how God uses tragedy to bring about His Glory. 

This morning I finished reading Genesis. In the last couple of chapters Jacob (Israel) dies. The brothers of Joseph go to him saying they were sorry for their ill treatment of him and their father Jacob had instructed them to come and ask Joseph to forgive them. Joseph already knew that God had used their earlier behavior to build his Kingdom plan. He told his brothers exactly that. 

I would never have known in my earlier years how God would take my hideous secrets and use them. I know God doesn’t want me comparing what was done to me and how He now uses it, to the way He used Joseph’s ill treatment to actually create His Chosen People. But this morning after last night’s message and this morning’s scripture, God does want me to know He never wastes a hurt if we will only surrender it, give Him a chance to heal the hurt, and then be willing to share the hurt and healing so others know they don’t need to hide their own. What a privilege it is to walk with our Father each day.