Do Slavery and False Accusation Really Count as “All Things”?
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
Joseph’s story forces us to wrestle with this promise. Did betrayal, slavery, false accusation, and years in prison really count as “all things”? Can God truly work through injustice and loss? Scripture’s answer is yes.
Joseph’s Story Revisited
His brothers betrayed Joseph, sold him as a slave, branded him a liar, and left him forgotten in a prison cell. Yet years later, he was lifted to Egypt’s throne, second only to Pharaoh.
“Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him.” Psalm 105:19
None of those events were good in themselves. They were the fruit of sin in a fallen world. But God stepped into Joseph’s pain and used every detail, the pit, the prison, and the palace, to weave His larger purpose. His family needed saving from famine. Egypt needed wise leadership. Joseph needed humility and wisdom that only affliction could teach.
The pit was not God’s wish. The prison was not His doing. But neither was it beyond His power to redeem.
How God Meets Us in the Brokenness
God does not send evil, but He never wastes it.
Sovereign. Nothing is outside His reach to redeem. Famine and feast, kings and prisons all bend beneath His hand.
Purposeful. He wastes nothing. Even human cruelty can be turned into instruments of grace.
Present. He was with Joseph in the dungeon. He is with you in the place where you feel most forgotten.
Redeemer. He does not cause sin, but He uses it. He takes what was meant for harm and makes it serve His design.
Think of a surgeon’s scalpel. The cut is real and painful, but in the right hands, it becomes a part of the healing process. Joseph’s chains were wounds inflicted by men, yet in God’s hands they became the very means of saving nations.
And His greatest gift is not merely changing circumstances but giving Himself. Christ in you is your patience, your endurance, your strength. The good God is working not only in altered situations but also in His life revealed in you.
How Does This Speak to My Pain?
Health Loss
Sickness is not good, but God can use it. Like bitter medicine, it can taste harsh, yet through it He deepens prayer, sharpens gratitude, and awakens compassion. Even when your body weakens, His life within becomes your strength.
Loss of Friends
Betrayal and rejection cut deep. But sometimes God uses loss to prune what hinders growth. Pruning looks like pain, but it makes room for stronger, healthier bonds. The hurt is real, yet God can use it to reshape your heart and relationships.
Struggles Your Children Face
Few pains run deeper than watching your children struggle. Their trials are not God’s desire. But even here, He can use your prayers, your trust, and your tears to lay foundations of faith for their future. Joseph’s suffering paved the way for his family’s salvation. Your faith under pressure may be the anchor your children one day lean on.
How Do I Live This Out?
Trust the Promise.
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God.” Romans 8:28
He does not call every event good, but He promises to use them for good.
Live in the “till” period. Joseph waited until the time. You may be waiting too. The waiting is not wasted. God’s timing never fails.
Refuse the Blame Game. Blame keeps the wound raw. Forgiveness lets it scar into strength.
Rest in Christ’s Presence. He knows injustice. “Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death.” Matthew 26:59 He was falsely accused and condemned. Yet He lives in you now to carry what you cannot.
Anchor in Joseph’s Example.
“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” Genesis 50:20
Others meant evil, but God used it for salvation.
Pray and Act. Faith is not passive. Pray over your struggles. Write down gratitude in small moments. Take the next step in front of you, however small.
A Final Word of Hope
You may ask, “Do slavery and false accusation really count as all things?” Joseph would answer yes. Not because they were good, but because God worked through them for good.
You may ask, “How is God part of this?” He is sovereign, purposeful, present, and redeeming. What sin and rebellion bring, He can bend into His design.
You may ask, “How does this help me?” It reminds you that nothing in your story is wasted. Every scar can become a testimony. Every wound can be turned into wisdom.
This is not the end. You are not off the page. Your story is still unfolding. Let your pain bend you toward Him, not away. He is near, weaving threads of purpose even now. “Until the time,” His good will be revealed. Until then, keep walking in faith.
Reflection for Your Heart
What small step of trust can you take today, such as praying, forgiving, or expressing gratitude?
Where do you need to release blame and allow scars to heal into strength?
How can you steady your children by showing them faith through your example?
What legacy of hope and resilience is God shaping in your story right now?