Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
If anyone had a good reason to hate his brothers it was Joseph. We learned earlier in this book about how Joseph's brothers threw him into a pit, made plans to kill him and finally sold him into slavery. With God's help and blessing, Joseph became the second most powerful leader in Egypt. When a terrible famine (lack of food) came to the land, people came from miles around to buy food in Egypt.
One day as Joseph was giving out the food, he saw his ten older brothers standing before him. He knew them but they didn't recognize him because he now looked and spoke like an Egyptian. Joseph could have taken revenge on his brothers, but he didn't. Joseph forgave them. He even thanked God for sending him to Egypt. Joseph realized that God had used his brothers to work out His perfect plan. Joseph forgave completely. He invited his father, brothers and their families to come live in Egypt where he could take care of them. (Genesis 50:16-21)
Like Joseph, you need to learn to forgive others as God has forgiven you. Only God can give you the strength inside to forgive.
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