My teenage desire was to belong to an encouraging community where I could bless others with my gifts. But I struggled to cling to that dream when my high school experience was a time of loneliness, anxiety, and uprooted plans. After being rejected by cliques, feeling alone at church, and living through the pandemic, I was eager to move out for college. People assured me that this would be where I’d find community and pursue my dreams.

But after experiencing even more anxiety and isolation due to campus tensions and a manipulative roommate, the healthiest choice for me was to move back home and transfer to an online university. Through many tearful nights, I wondered what God could possibly do with my fizzled dreams and frazzled hope. Did my painful past deprive me of a future purpose?

In the book of Genesis, we meet a man named Joseph. He had a boatload of dreams—and challenges. He received visions of becoming a ruler someday, which he shared with his jealous brothers. They sold him into slavery, which caused Joseph to lose his reputation, autonomy, and community. Eventually, he wound up in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Yet God was still with Joseph no matter his circumstances.

As a result of God’s work in and around Joseph, he became an important ruler in Egypt and even forgave his brothers. God used the hardships Joseph overcame to make him a strong leader, reliant on God, and humble enough to forgive. Joseph’s life was purposeful because even when the future looked bleak, his needs were satisfied in God alone.

As Christians, “we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8:28). Our call is not to let go of our dreams and give into despair. Our call is to surrender our dreams to God, trusting He has an even better purpose in store for us. No matter how challenging our past may be, nothing can thwart the wonderful plans God has for His beloved children. • Hannah Chung

• What dreams do you have? It’s great to dream and plan for the future! But God calls us to hold those dreams with open hands, knowing that He is the One in control, and He loves us.

• Can you think of a time you saw something good come out of a difficult time, whether in your life or in the life of someone else? Consider taking some time to thank God for that!

[Joseph said,] “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” Genesis 50:20 (NLT)

From Evil to Good