When the problems of life seem overwhelming, we need someone to come alongside and help us to see our difficulties through the eyes of our sovereign God. Joseph is just such a person. Although he lived thousands of years ago, his story still speaks to us with great insight into the Lord’s purposes.
Joseph experienced a wide variety of trials—hatred, rejection, and betrayal by his brothers; loss of home, family, and freedom; false accusation and imprisonment; and the loneliness and disappointment of being forgotten. His life was a series of difficult and unfair situations, yet Scripture never records any bitterness or revenge in Joseph’s responses to all these circumstances.
Though outwardly it may have seemed as if God had abandoned the young man, He was doing some awesome work in Joseph’s heart. The Lord had big plans for him, and He knew that these trials would be the most effective tools in preparing His servant for the work that lay ahead.
As Joseph responded to each situation with faith in God and diligence in every task assigned to him, one fact became obvious to all who knew him: The Lord was with Joseph (Gen. 39:2, 21, 23).
We need to remember this when we are going through hard times: The Lord is with us even when our circumstances seem to shout that He has deserted us. We may have little control over the difficulties we face, but we each have a choice of how to respond. Joseph calls to us from out of the past, urging us to trust God.
Everyone is aware of the tragedy of broken families and the domestic discord that ensues. The immoral and rebellious behavior of some teenagers, and even of some parents, is deplorable. However, we need to remember that for many of them, a contributing factor was deprivation of the normal affection that should characterize every home. Unfortunately, far too many households lack a father who knows how to express love and support in a perceptible, constructive way.
This is an age-old problem. We see it in the Bible with fathers like David, who seemed painfully unaware of how to foster strong emotional relationships with his children. This critical skill is imperative if we are to keep our families connected and healthy. It is even more important since we are supposed to demonstrate the character of God to our children. If Dad comes across as shaming and demanding or passive and detached, is it any wonder children want nothing to do with a God they assume is like that?
Fathers may not feel naturally equipped to remedy this problem, but they can begin with simple words of affirmation such as "I love you" or "That was a fine job." They can also show love by giving meaningful gifts. Sometimes love is best expressed by spending quality time with our children and doing things with them or for them. And don't forget physical affection. In some cases, a hug or an arm around the shoulder will unlock a child's heart faster than anything else. Find what works best for each of your children and show that you love them—it could be life-changing.
The human mind is an amazing creation of God. Nothing on earth can match its capabilities or creativity. It controls feelings, thoughts, words, attitudes, and behavior. Who we become and what we achieve are largely due to how and what we think. Wouldn’t it make sense to let the One who created us guide our thought processes?
A clear mind is one that’s aligned with God’s Word and controlled by His Spirit. When the Lord has authority over our thoughts, discernment will guard our perspective. He empowers us to look beyond the surface and view situations as they really are. We can distinguish not just between right and wrong but also between good and best. The Lord has granted us the ability to think rightly no matter what challenges may face us.
But such clear, focused thinking must be deliberately chosen and diligently maintained. If we don’t guard against the world’s influence, we will find ourselves squeezed into its mold. Soon we’ll have a fragmented mind that cannot focus on spiritual things because it is cluttered and clogged with worldly thoughts and concerns. We must carefully consider what we allow into our minds. So ask yourself, Is this helping me become the person God wants me to be, or is it hindering the process?
A renewed mind begins with surrender to the Lord. Until you give Him full authority over your thoughts, you’ll have no power to clear out the clutter that hinders you from living in the fullness of His will. But as you yield to Him and fill your mind with His Word, He’ll transform your life.
The best life you could possibly live is the one your Creator has designed for you. He has given believers everything they need to become more like Him and to achieve all He has planned for them. Since the way we think is vitally important in this process, the Lord has given us the mind of Christ. Now we have the capacity to think as He does and to see situations from His perspective.
This marvelous ability to align our thoughts with His is a gift that we receive from God at the moment of salvation. However, the practice of it is our responsibility. We all come to Christ with minds that are already “pre-programmed” to one degree or another. For example, a child who grows up hearing demeaning comments will probably incorporate them into his concept of who he is and what he can accomplish. Also, this world’s system is constantly attempting to fit us into its mold, and Satan tries to inject his lies into our thinking.
If we are to experience the abundant life the Lord wants us to have, old thoughts that do not agree with God’s Word must be replaced with truth. Then we need to screen the ideas that bombard us each day. As we cooperate with God in this ongoing process, our lives will be transformed.
Compare your thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs with biblical teachings. If they don’t match, reject wrong patterns of thinking, and fill your mind with corresponding truths from Scripture instead. Since the Lord has empowered believers to think right, let’s cultivate the mind of Christ within us.
When we develop a vibrant prayer life, it transforms the way we live and see things. Through prayer, the Lord can change our weakness into His strength, our ignorance into His wisdom, and our emptiness into His fullness. Jesus made an awesome promise: He is committed to accomplishing whatever we ask in His name. But what does this really mean?
Praying in His name means recognizing that Jesus has paved the way for us to have access to the Father. Anyone who believes in Christ's death as full payment for his or her sins and who has received Him as personal Savior can, amazingly, approach the throne of Almighty God (Hebrews 4:16).
Praying in His name denotes exercising the authority He has given to each born-again child of God. Jesus, the heir of all things, has made us "fellow heirs" with Him (Romans 8:14-17). Understanding our position should give us confidence and boldness as we humbly ask and expectantly look for God's awesome answers. We are on a mission that requires us to be people of prayer—always connected with the Holy Spirit's power, always crying out to the Father, always depending on Him as our source.
Praying in the name of Jesus signifies agreement with His will. You are asking the Father to grant your need or desire as Jesus would, were He in your position. When you pray with this attitude, God is going to reveal His will because you want nothing less than what He wants. This is the kind of prayer that changes the world.
