Genesis 45:8 – “So it was not you who sent me here, but God…”
This is one of the greatest redemptive stories in all of scripture. Joseph was betrayed by his brothers. They sold him, sold him, into slavery. Potiphar ends up buying him. His wife falsely accuses Joseph and he ends up in prison. We are not sure how long he was there but he more than likely spent a decade in prison from the time he was about 20 years of age to about 30. He had a long time to think about his brothers’ treachery. Yet somewhere in his journey he came to the realization that his brothers didn’t sell him, God sent him. This must have been liberating for Joseph personally and certainly guilt-freeing for his brothers. Joseph articulates the purpose for which he was sent: to preserve life and preserve a remnant (vv.5,7).
Our lives would be free of bitterness if we would live by these simple words from Romans 8:28 – “…all things work together for good…” We need to stop making other people feel guilty about where we are in life. If we will truly commit ourselves to God and follow His ways He will take the bad things that happen to us and cause them to benefit us. We need to tell those that offended us, hurt us, used us and treated us badly, “God had a plan and it’s not your fault.” I know you want them to pay for what they did to you. I’m sure you would feel better if they “got theirs.” But at the end of the day you’re putting them in control of your life and emotions and not God. Let them go and you will be freed from bitterness and unforgiveness which is robbing you, not those who hurt you.