And we know from endless examples in his word that he does it in ways that do not always meet our expectations. Did Joseph ever think that his rise to authority in Egypt would take him down a road of desertion, betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment? No. But when he had his two sons (Manasseh and Ephraim) he unveils for us an “a-ha” moment in scripture (see Genesis 41:51,52). He realized that God had finally put him in a place to forget his pain and his father’s house. That is to say that Joseph released the right to hold a grudge against his brothers for what they did to him in the past. He relinquished all bitterness and unforgiveness. We know this because he confirms that God’s plan ultimately won out even though they meant to harm him (see Genesis 50:20). This is the only reason why he could celebrate his Ephraim—his “fruitfulness in suffering”. What does that say to us today? I believe it very clearly indicates that unless we are willing to fully accept what God is allowing in our lives and not just put up with our circumstances we can’t experience fruitfulness. It is the difference between embracing the fact that you have been blessed with the ability to make lemonade from life’s lemons instead of resenting the fact that you are tired of making lemonade. God wants us to be happy that we can make lemonade and not consider the situation (or Him) unfair for putting us in this spot. I believe he wants us to embrace the experience. Ask questions like, “What is this trial trying to teach me about my faith, my trust in God or in the things that I know are true about him?” Often the package we expect God to deliver doesn’t contain what we want but what we need. For example, the package of financial breakthrough may come by way of several humbling experiences that actually teach you how to use finances through the proper balance of giving, saving and spending. When we are trusting God to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we ask or think we must also realize that the last part of the verse says according to the power that works in us (see Ephesians 3:20). I believe the power that works in us can work to our favor or not. The power of our positive confession (of faith) unlocks the doors of God’s blessing because the bible says that without faith it is impossible to please God (see Hebrews 11:6). But there is also power in a negative confession of words in situation. Don’t be guilty of this. I especially know when my questions to God turn from innocent frustration to cynicism. This has put me dangerously close to adhering to “the fairness doctrine” to which sovereign God does not partake. You begin to think that since you have followed God so well that he owes you! How ridiculous is that! God does not owe me or you anything. He’s already given us all that he had in his Son. We owe him everything and all that we have. I’ve been guilty of “boasting of what he has or does” (see 1 John 2:16 NIV) when I walk after the things of the flesh and world. When I walk after the things of the Spirit, I embrace my trials and humbly accept the grace God gives me to go through them with a heart of thanksgiving. I don’t throw myself a pity party about why my trial is so hard, so long or how I’m the only one going through. My God is sovereign. Say it out loud—GOD IS SOVEREIGN. This means that the same characteristics that fulfilled all the promises that we read about in his word are still here for you and I to experience today. I just have to believe that he is in control and nothing takes him by surprise. He has ordered my steps and he has a perfect plan for me that is working out. Be blessed and stay encouraged.