The Hard Times That Hurt You (Part 4)

Pieces and Masterpieces

They don't make garbage like they used to. Do you remember the good old days when you could throw away everything when you were done with it? Actually, those were not the good old days, because we were also trashing our environment. We now have the privilege of sorting through what used to be just garbage. Bottles, newspapers, cans, and glass are now called recyclables. It is amazing how garbage can be taken and then recycled into something useful again.


Genesis 50:20 from God's Word says, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Joseph is speaking to his brothers who left him in a pit and sold him into slavery. Now he is second-in-command of Egypt, saving their lives with the food program he has developed. Up close, this looked like tragedy but when you look at the big picture, it was the tapestry of God.


Joseph had a lot of garbage in his life—broken family relationships, false accusations, imprisonment, and abandonment. Eventually, the great plan of God led him, a Jew, to have authority over Egypt. Then he was able to save thousands of lives, including the lives of his own family, who were the fathers of the twelve tribes of Israel.


God is the ultimate recycler. He can take the trash of your life and recycle it into treasure. You have to bring to Jesus what is broken, and He can turn those pieces into masterpieces. How does He do that? He will do it with His power, if you will do your part in the recycling process.

• First, ask the right question. "Why is this happening?" will probably not get an answer. Work on asking, "How could God use this?"
• Second, tell it all to Jesus. Bring Him all the pieces and all of the darkest feelings you have about what is broken right now.
• Third, cancel all pity parties. If you don't, self-pity will become a prison for you, and the devil will win a victory.
• Fourth, look for other people who are hurting. Through the hurts of your life, God gives you a brand-new sensitivity. He uses the broken pieces of your life to touch the lives of other people going through the same situation.

Consider the garbage in your life right now. What is broken in your life? Is it a family, a heart, a budget, a marriage, a dream, or a body? Bring Jesus the pieces. Remember, He makes those pieces into masterpieces!