Joseph's life gives a perfect illustration of how to respond to unwelcome, unplanned, and unfair events!
For quite some time (like years!!), Joseph didn't get the answer to why he was sold into slavery, why he was betrayed by Potipher's wife, and why he was left in prison. I am sure he probably asked God, "What about those dreams you gave me so long ago about my brothers bowing down to me? What happened?"
Had God really forgotten about Joseph? Even after Joseph's correct response to trail #1 in his life, God still allowed trial #2,3,4....Was the Lord not honoring him for his obedience?
Psalm 105:17-19 gives us a small picture of what God was doing.
"He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: until the time that his word came: the Word of the Lord tried him."God was using His word to try Joseph -- refine him, purify him. According to Joseph's own words, "God meant it for good" (Gen. 50:20).
In retrospect, Joseph saw God's good hand at work through each trial.
God uses trials, daily frustrations of my plans, to humble me by causing me to realize that He is in control and I am not. He wants to purify me!
If I flee from the trial, quit and trow in the towel, I refuse to let God change me. I refuse the blessing of being drawn closer to Him. I miss the peace of absolute dependence on His Word. And I may never see how God wanted to use the trial for good in my life.
So will you flee or follow?
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