Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to buy grain. Joseph recognized his brothers and tested them to see if they were changed before he revealed who he was. The brothers bowed before Joseph just as he dreamed they would, and he forgave them, realizing that God had sent him to Egypt to save his family from the famine.

Bitterness is unforgiveness, anger, and hurt. Although we may think we’re punishing the person who wronged us when we don’t forgive, we are actually hurting ourselves. Bitterness can ruin relationships, keep us from praying, and even make us physically sick! If there is someone you haven’t forgiven, take a moment during our prayer time and ask God to help you forgive. Stop going over and over what that person did to hurt you, and give that hurt to God. He will heal that hurt and replace it with love and kindness.

Just as Joseph recognized God’s hand even in the bad things that happened to him, we, too, can trust God to work all things together for good—even the bad things that happen to us.

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