What To Do When Life Is Tough
“Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favour in the eyes of the prison warder. So the warder put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there.”
Genesis 39:20–22 NIVUK
Joseph’s story reminds us that sometimes faithfulness doesn’t seem to pay off right away. He resisted temptation, yet still ended up in a prison cell. But notice the vital phrase: “the Lord was with him.” Even in the darkest place, Joseph was not abandoned. God’s presence turned his prison into a platform, and his pain into preparation for a future purpose.
Paul echoed this truth when he wrote, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:12–13). Despite beatings, shipwrecks, hunger, and imprisonment, Paul rejoiced in the Lord. Many of his epistles, which shape our faith today, were written behind prison walls.
Likewise, John, exiled on Patmos, received visions of Christ and the future Kingdom that continue to inspire believers through the book of Revelation. Moses’ forty years in the wilderness—seemingly wasted years—became the backdrop in which God trained him to write the first five books of Scripture. What seemed like setbacks were, in fact, sacred seasons of shaping.
Romans 8:28 assures us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” That “all things” includes disappointment, delay, and detours. When life doesn’t look like our dream, God is still at work.
The Bible is full of stories of overcoming—but that means it is also full of stories of people in less-than-ideal circumstances. They endured, trusted, and kept going, and in doing so, they wrote lives worth reading.
Don’t sit and sulk. Don’t let hardship define you. Rise up in faith. Trust that God can turn your prison into a place of purpose. His presence is enough, His plan is unfolding, and your endurance will one day become your testimony.
Endure. Trust. Keep going.
Today, I declare that God is working in every detail of my life. According to Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” I believe that nothing in my story is wasted—every trial, every delay, every closed door, and every challenge is being woven by God into something good.
I declare that God’s purpose for my life will stand. What the enemy meant for harm, God is turning for my good. What feels confusing now will become clarity later. What seems broken will become a testimony of His restoration.
I choose faith over fear, trust over worry, and hope over despair, because my God is faithful and intentional.
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2 Responses
Thanks for this Jarrod,
Please pray for me and Andrew.
We have had a terrible time recently – constant attack, physically as well as financially.
We are moving house in the New Year, mainly we are leaving our brand new build home to buy a much cheaper one in Burnley 5 miles away, to clear our debts etc.
Our mortgage provider suddenly asked Andrew last week for another £900.
I have complained that they are now moving the goalposts after we started the process to port our mortgage.
They have 28 days to reply to my complaint. (Do not ever have anything to do with Legal & General!)
Andrew had a suspect lump removed from his leg 3 weeks ago and, praise God it has turned out to be benign. (But he still has a hole the size of a £2 coin on his leg!)
Interesting that his consultant turned out to be the same one who operated on my son\’s cleft lip & palate over 30 years ago.
I arranged to sell some Christian Hoodies and other items at a Christmas Fair in a pub locally, to help our finances along.
Then Saturday night I ended up in A & E. They ruled out a stroke, but I think I may have M.S.
They could have run blood tests (but not the one for M.S.) but then we would have to wait around for 5 hours for the results.
By this time it was midnight and we took the decision to go home (so we didn\’t miss church on Sunday morning!) and contact our GP for the blood tests.
Yesterday I rang the GP at 8 a.m. and was told he would ring me back before 2 pm.
I rang again at 4.
In the words of Diana Ross – I\’m still waiting!
I always keep my word, so turned up at the Christmas Fair last night.
I think I sold more than anyone else in the room to be fair. I made £20 and the stall cost £15.
So not a huge success for 2 people for 3 hours work, as a way of solving our financial problems!
Except I did have 2 conversations with 2 other stallholders who want to come to church – 1 next Sunday and the other the following week.
But God!…………………
You may think this is long winded but honestly, if you were in Lancashire, not Beverley and we had a brew and I told you half of what is happening in my world, you would say:Â I can see why you write books! Ha! Ha!
God bless you and your lovely family this Christmas.
Thanks for all you do for the kingdom.
Lookingforlove.org.uk
Sue Saxon AuthorÂ
Have You Been Scammed?
Available on Amazon
50 Shades Of Grace ebook only
Lookingforlove.org.uk
Sue Saxon AuthorÂ
Have You Been Scammed?
Available on Amazon
50 Shades Of Grace ebook only
Escape From The Jungle of Depression paperback only
Starting Over?
Tel: 0750 1020100
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