You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them. (Genesis 50.20-21 NLT)

These words were uttered by Joseph to his brothers who attempted to kill him initially and then sold him as a slave.

I wonder what his initial thoughts of and how it journeyed from there to the words he eventually uttered above. There is not much written about Joseph's relationship with God, but we know he experienced grief.

Joseph named his older son Manasseh, for he said, “God has made me forget all my troubles and everyone in my father’s family.” Joseph named his second son Ephraim, for he said, “God has made me fruitful in this land of my grief.” (Genesis 41.51-52 NLT)

We too experience grief that other people might have caused - maybe even from someone we love. Let us immitate Joseph by thinking above and beyond the grief and trusting God's intention for his bigger plan in our life.

God help us.