Hardships Can Produce Blessings
“Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph” (Ex.1:8). Israel’s situation changed dramatically with the rise of a new ruler in Egypt. Fearing that the increasing population of Israelites might pose a threat to their national security, the Egyptian officials put their heads together and decided they needed to curtail Israel’s growth rate. They initially decided the best way to do that was by having them work hard and long hours. They made their lives bitter. But God saw them through all their hardships and their numbers continued to increase. Situations in our lives can also change dramatically. It might be the loss of a job, a decline in health, the breakup of a marriage, etc., that becomes our life-changing situation. If we become bitter about such, we hurt ourselves and bless none. But if we maintain a positive spirit we can endure the hardship, be a better person for it, and bless the lives of others. The following story illustrates this. “It was 1818 in France, and Louis, a boy of 9, was sitting in his father's workshop. The father was a harness-maker and the boy loved to watch his father work the leather. "Someday Father," said Louis, "I want to be a harness-maker, just like you." "Why not start now?" said the father. He took a piece of leather and drew a design on it. "Now, my son," he said, "take the hole- puncher and a hammer and follow this design, but be careful that you don't hit your hand." Excited, the boy began to work, but when he hit the hole-puncher, it flew out of his hand and pierced his eye! He lost the sight of that eye immediately. Later, sight in the other eye failed. Louis was now totally blind. A few years later, Louis was sitting in the family garden when a friend handed him a pine cone. As he ran his sensitive fingers over the cone, an idea came to him. He became enthusiastic and began to create an alphabet of raised dots on paper so that the blind could feel and interpret what was written. Thus, Louis Braille opened up a whole new world for the blind--all because of an accident!” If “a new king” arises in your life in the form of some misfortune, do not give up and become bitter, but use your “misfortune” to bless others.