Favor Beyond Past Pain: Overcoming What They Meant for Evil

“Our pasts do excuse us from excelling in our future, and painful circumstances don’t negate favor. The key is walking with God through the pain before you reach ‘the palace.’” — Lenita Reeves

Joseph, the governor of a nation, survived an attempted murder by his brothers. He was human trafficked into slavery in a foreign country, sexually assaulted by a married woman, and wrongfully convicted and thrown into prison. But that’s not how his journey began. He had a coat of many colors, was favored by his father, was a dreamer of dreams, an interpreter of dreams, a gifted administrator, and walked in integrity when tempted.

He may have wrongfully interpreted the beginning of his journey and initial dreams to mean he would ascend to power and live in favor without any tests or trials. We often need to correct the same mistake, whether we receive a prophetic message through a dream or are initially favored by a person thinking it can never turn to disfavor. We all tend to believe that if we are favored, nothing bad should happen to us. 

But this thinking does not align with the life of Joseph—or even Jesus for that matter because the Scriptures say, “Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered” (Hebrews 5:8 NLT). Yes, Jesus was God’s beloved Son in whom He was well-pleased. In other words, He was favored. Still, He suffered rejection, ridicule, betrayal, mockery, and brutality, and through it all, He learned obedience—obedience unto death. Joseph endured betrayal, slavery, false accusations, and prison. He was tested but finally realized what his brothers meant for evil, God meant for good to mature and position him to save a nation and his family. Indeed, suffering and painful circumstances do not negate God’s favor. But if Joseph had not kept walking with God and persevering through the pain, he would have never realized that, and he would have never made it to the palace to become governor of Egypt.

There was a greater purpose for Joseph’s pain, and there is for yours too. Joseph kept walking with God, dreaming, and interpreting dreams. He had to learn to use his gift to help others, even in prison. That painful process developed his character—and that’s what really interests God. He’s preparing us to excel for His glory in good and bad times. He can use painful circumstances to work in us a far exceeding weight of glory for His name’s sake. 

Then he sent someone to Egypt ahead of them—Joseph, who was sold as a slave. 18 They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar. 19 Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character. 20 Then Pharaoh sent for him and set him free; the ruler of the nation opened his prison door. 21 Joseph was put in charge of all the king’s household; he became ruler over all the king’s possessions. 22 He could instruct the king’s aides as he pleased and teach the king’s advisers. (Psalm 105:17-22 NLT)

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Lenita is the senior pastor of Action Chapel Baltimore and Action Chapel North Carolina churches. She is an author of nine books, international speaker, founder of PrayerWatch with Pastor Lenita, and creator of the Purpose/full Institute, which helps people discover and hone their divine purpose. She is a former Accenture consultant with college teaching experience, professional instructional design experience, a member of the RAINN speaker’s bureau, a trained pastoral counselor, and a Christian International/Bishop Hamon authorized prophetic instructor. Sign up to connect, receive more blog posts, and updates on courses, books, and events.