Genesis 45;5, 7 Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither; for God did send me before you to preserve life….And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
Faith in God, trust in His Providence, believing His Promise, and resting in His Word is the joyful response to the Lord’s working in our lives. The Word says, ”All things work together for good to them that love God, and are called according to his purpose.” God is always good; God’s will is always gracious; God’s Word will accomplish that which He purposes. Our response: believe the promise.
Pray and believe: ”Thy will be done on earth (in my life).” Then walk away and go about life happy, rejoicing in the Lord always. This simple faith response by Joseph was able to sustain him through all his trials. Then with hindsight he could see God’s Plan. God preserved life and the posterity of the Seed of Promise. In spite of our sinful, selfish, and rebellious attempts to thwart God’s good and gracious will, He gave us His Son so we could have Life. ”God knows how to write straight on crooked lines [Martin Luther].” We are crooked, but God is straight.
Therefore, we may respond to God’s grace by not grieving or despairing or being depressed because of sin and failure. Depression has been defined as being angry with oneself. The Spirit comes through the Gospel to sooth the grieving and lift the depressed. Believe the gospel of a God who is good.