Through It

You may have been ‘through it’ but you don’t have to smell like it, sound like it or look like it! Maybe you’ve been through: divorce, a bad home life, a difficult marriage, betrayal, a bad church history, or a difficult work setting, but you don’t have to smell like, sound like it or look like it. Now, let me explain through these biblical stories what I mean by ‘smelling like it’, ‘sounding like it’ or ‘looking like it.’

When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego went through the fire, the only thing that burnt up was what bound them. And, what bound them was put on by man! What you go through is not meant to destroy you, it’s meant to develop. What you go through doesn’t define you. What you learn from what you go through and how you respond to what you go through is what actually defines you. Don’t just go through it, grow through it!

Joseph who was thrown in a pit by his brothers, lied about at Potiphar’s house by Potiphar’s wife and forgotten about in prison after prophesying to Pharaoh’s butler and baker. Joseph experienced many setbacks and difficulties, but remarkably, after going through all of these scenarios, he didn’t smell like, sound like or look like: the pit, Potiphar’s house or the prison. Nevertheless, when he had finally obtained the position of the prime minister at the palace, his brothers came to him asking for help and fearing for their lives. His brothers in which had started the entire process, the process of the pit, Potiphar’s house and prison. But, all of these setbacks were really a setup that ultimately led Joseph to the palace and put him in a position over the stewardship over prosperity, which in turn was a confirmation of his promise. Anyway, Joseph was now promoted to a position that would allow him to bless those that had caused him these difficulties. Joseph is now in the palace facing his brothers who are asking for help and he looks at them and says, “Do not fear, I’m not God, and what you meant for harm against me today, God is going to turn it around and use it for your good. Remember, when you are going through a difficult situation, not everything that happens is good, but God will work all things for your good. Joseph had grown through, what he had gone through!

Paul and Silas had been preaching Christ and baptizing believers, going through town to a prayer meeting they encountered a woman who had a python spirit, she followed them and continually declared, “these are men of God who will tell you how to be saved.” Nevertheless, she annoyed Paul, so he cast the spirit of Python out of her, and when he did, her master turned them into the authorities because she was no longer of worth to them. Paul and Silas were then prosecuted, beaten publicly, and thrown in prison, after bound in stocks hand and foot. However, they decided to pray and praise, instead of pouting or complaining. What they chose to do, affected everyone. All of the prisoners chains were loosed and every prison door was opened because of the earthquake that was experienced, as Paul and Silas prayed and praised. They didn’t allow what had happened to them, dictate their response. They rose above what had happened and sang praises to God and prayed. As a result, the Philippian  jailer was saved, and his household. Maybe what you’re going through isn’t just about you. Anyway, here’s what I want you to see, Paul and Silas didn’t smell like, look like or sound like misfortune. He and Silas prayed and praised and when the prison doors opened and their chains fell off, they and all of the prisoners stayed in their cells and didn’t move. When the prison guard called for a light and was about to take his life because he presumed the prisoners had fled, Paul called with a loud voice and said, “Do yourself no harm!”  Paul and Silas didn’t just go through it – they grew through it! 

There will be times in life when you will experience misfortunate and less than desirable seasons of life. Nonetheless, you don’t have to smell like it, look like it or sound like it. And, you won’t, if you grow through, what you’re going through.