Walking through the pain toward the promise.

The promises of God are true, the dream he put inside of is real, but so is the fight. Find out how to get in and out of the ring with the victory.

In life, pursuing our dreams and following our faith can be a painful and challenging journey. We may face fear, self-doubt, and even envy of others who seem to be progressing faster than us. In my own life, I’ve struggled to finish projects and sometimes became a professional procrastinator! And yet, there are profound consequences to disobeying God and avoiding the promises that are rightfully yours. You risk your destiny and experiencing true fulfillment! Running from your purpose is one of the fastest ways to spiritual decline, ask Jonah! However, if you’re reading this, it means that your destiny is still within your reach, and you have everything you need inside of you to reach it. Often, it is the very door we are scared to go through that holds the answer to our healing and fulfillment. This blog post explores the inspiring story of Joseph, a biblical figure who endured immense pain and hardship while remaining faithful to his purpose. We will draw valuable lessons from Joseph's experiences, find encouragement to stay true to ourselves as we walk through seasons of pain and transition. You can find the story of Joseph in Genesis 37. The story starts like a movie, the scene opens up to Joseph who is seventeen and at work alongside his brothers. Joseph is his father's favorite. On this particular day and possibly on many occasions before, he decides to snitch on his brothers and bring a bad report to his father.

3-4 Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons because he was the child of his old age. And he made him an elaborately embroidered coat.

I want you to know that God favors you. Just because you are in pain or uncomfortable does not negate that God favors and loves you. Joseph couldn’t help but wear his coat of many colors. He could not help but be special in his father’s eyes. There was nothing he could do about his father’s love for him. He just was. As we go through seasons of difficulty, we can still choose to remain close to our Father, we can choose to stay in the field, doing the work, just as we are, loved and favored. As Christians, we will go through pain, trauma and tragedy. It is not a reflection of God's love you. It is a result of a broken world. Remember that God promises to be with you.

In the next few points, we're going to uncover the reasons Joseph suffered so much - some reasons were of no fault of his own. Then we will explore how Joseph was able to overcome and gain the victory. Are you ready? Let’s go.

4. When his brothers realized that their father loved him more than them, they grew to hate him—they wouldn’t even speak to him. 5-7 Now Joseph had a dream. When he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. He said, “Listen to this dream I had. We were all out in the field gathering bundles of wheat. All of a sudden my bundle stood straight up and your bundles circled around it and bowed down to mine.”

Joseph’s first problem was that he was simply doing too much. Joseph could have stayed out of a parenting role and let his brothers be. Instead he chose to single himself out and snitch on his brothers. His father had already set him aaprt. He did not have too anything extra. Yet he shared his dreams with those who had shown him they did not like him. Yes, sometimes it will be those in your own family that do not like you. He told his dreams to the wrong people, and it caused warfare, strife and jealousy. Sometimes the warfare, stress, and difficulty we experience are because we functioning roles outside of our assignment, we are speaking to the wrong people, or talking too much about our dreams. If joseph knew all that He was going to become, he might have thought twice about his actions. God has already selected him and already belived in him and prepared a future for him. When we know who we are you we can operate humlity. Humilty is the acceptance of who you are. Even if humliation comes we remember who we are in God. Ask God about who you are. Ask God about who you can talk to about what He has given you. Even when He gives you a person or people. I would advise you not to tell anyone everything. Instead, take time to build trust with those who God has sent to support your destiny. Go to the secret place in prayer with Jesus. Share with Him your concerns and wait for Him to speak and encourage you, just like you would a friend. You can Journal, or even do a walking/ talking journal – where you walk and talk out your thoughts. Keep some things between you and God.

Joseph had a second problem; he was the victim of a generational pattern. His father, Jacob, knew all about sibling rivalries. Jacob had been the favorite of his father and experienced life tumultuous relationship with his brother Esau. The favored treatment Joseph received from his father, led to resentment and jealousy from his brothers. Sometimes you will experience challenges because people can see and feel the anointing that God has placed on your life. There are times where the rejection, isolation, and challenges you face are not due to anything you did but because of who you are. Be encouraged; we do not fight against flesh and blood. Pray for those who persecute you and keep it moving. Bless them and keep it moving. “Father, bless the girl at work who looks at me sideways. Help her to fix her eyes on you and all that you have for her in Jesus’ name!

Joseph’s brothers get so jealous they end up throwing him in a pit. They eventually devise a plan to sell Joseph to him merchants passing by. They sell Joseph into slavery, and his brothers fake his death! And you thought you had a toxic family! Joseph ends up becoming the servant of the King Pharaoh. Pharaoh's wife tries to seduce Joseph, and but he denies the invitation to sleep with her. Pharaoh's wife accuses Joseph of rape, and he’s thrown into prison. At this point, Joseph must have thought he was cursed! Jospeh was indeed in a pattern that he would later break through forgiveness but his hardship was what God allow to prepare him for the seat he would have one day.

The one thing we knew for sure was that Joseph was a dreamer. And the Bible says that someone else kept his dream: his father No matter what you are going through, hold on to the dream God gave you. He has given you a future and hope. Your father is holding on to your dream!

And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind. Genesis 37:11

So, How did Joseph gain the victory?

Joseph, while in prison, uses his gifts of dream interpretation. His name is brought to the king and the king is pleased with Joseph's abilities. As a result, Joseph is given the highest position in the kingdom. Joseph gets a ring, a new robe, a wife, and has two kids. Joseph is so happy, he says it as if he never went through anything! Sis, God is going to make it as if it never happened. And for some of you, you will inherit your promises all at once.

Before the year of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph. Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore them to him. 51 Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh. “For,” he said, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father's house.” 52 The name of the second he called Ephraim, “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.” Genesis 41:50-52

Before we end our time today, Here are the practical tips to get to your victory.

1.Embraced your favored status

Joseph knew the favor and the gifts God had given him. He knew God was with him, and he never stopped calling on God, even when he did not understand what was happening to him. My friend, you are God's beloved. You have favor. No matter what it looks like, Joseph stayed true to his gifts and stayed in his lane!

2. Be expectant.

Joseph looked for God. He looked for God's plan to get him out of prison and onto his destiny. Joseph never stopped being a leader and doing his best, even in prison. What’s in your hand? What can you give to the world? Can you bake, sing, act, write? He did not let self-pity have its way, even in the actual pit. He refused to give up. Joseph knew his time would come, and he waited for it. Sis, keep working, keep being you; your time is coming, and your name will be brought up. That’s exactly what happened to Joseph in the remaining chapters. Joseph's gifts made room for him. His name was brought up to the king. verse

3. Don't give up.

Joseph was 30 years old when his career really took off. If you are under thirty and wondering what's wrong with you, stop! If over 30, stop. You’re in training, a season of preparation. Your character is being developed, and you will have your turn, just DON’T GIVE UP.

39-40 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “You’re the man for us. God has given you the inside story—no one is as qualified as you in experience and wisdom. From now on, you’re in charge of my affairs; all my people will report to you. Only as king will I be over you.”

41-43 So Pharaoh commissioned Joseph: “I’m putting you in charge of the entire country of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his finger and slipped it on Joseph’s hand. He outfitted him in robes of the best linen and put a gold chain around his neck. He put the second-in-command chariot at his disposal, and as he rode people shouted “Bravo!”

Joseph was in charge of the entire country of Egypt. Genesis 41:39-43 Msg

3. Face your trauma and mental health.

By the age of 40, Joseph was fully living in his anointing, reigning, but there came a time when Joseph still had to face his past. Joseph’s brothers ended up coming to find food and bow before Joseph. The dream God gave Joseph as a teen was fulfilled! Joseph dealt with spirits that had been haunting him his whole life: rejection, abandonment, and loneliness. Joseph faced his pain, healed from his past, and forgave his brothers. He did not do it all on a Friday night. He went on a journey with God. Be patient, my dear sister, as you walk with God. Trust Him to heal your past and unlock your future. Be sure to seek out Christian counselors who are trained in your area of hurt and loss.

Beloved, no matter what happens, the dream God placed inside of you is going to happen. If you’re reading this, your dream is going to happen! What we see in Joseph's life is that before the promise, there was a season of wilderness. A season where he had to lean on his faith and trust God. My dear reader, I want to encourage you to follow Joseph's example. I want to emphsize the importance of self-care and finding community to lean on as you walk through difficult seasons. Do not walk alone. Find a trusted community, take care of yourself. Go on adventures and dates with God and know that your turn is coming. God has your dream and your future in his heart, and you on his mind. Keep moving forward, sis, and remember this timing is everything, and your time is coming.

If you’re a woman in search of a community to heal and grow, Blueprint Blossom offers support groups where you can connect and find support weekly. Click here to find out more Blueprintblossom Join today.

References

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

The Holy Bible, Message Standard Version,