Someone Else Has Caused Me A Lot of Pain. What Do I Do?

Jesus was betrayed by Judas.  Joseph was betrayed by his brothers.  Daniel was betrayed by his fellow co-workers.  The fiery darts of the devil often come from those who are closest to us.   Circumstances aren't as damaging to us as the people around us that do their part to put us in those circumstances.  It can leave you bitter and untrusting if you let it.   

I have counseled many people and the most angry and bitter people are those who have someone else to thank for the circumstance they are facing.  Often we are where we are because someone else made the decisions, someone else pulled the strings, someone else didn't consider how their actions would effect out lives.  It can leave you feeling like a victim and all alone.   

What I see in the Scriptures is that there was not one thing that Judas did to harm Jesus that was not ultimately part of God's master plan.   There was not one thing that the brothers of Joseph did to him that was not a part of God's master plan.  There was not one thing that happened to Daniel that was not a part of God's master plan.  Jesus suffered, Joseph suffered, Daniel suffered, and all of them have one thing in common.  They were innocent and someone else made them suffer because they were wicked.   You have always been a good person, but you have suffered at the hands of others.  It is time child of God to look up from your circumstances and realize that NOBODY has power over you even if they think they do.  Everything your persecutors are doing to harm you is nothing more than a piece of God's master plan, where He is working things out for your good.

Along with David you can proclaim, "yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil."  Whatever has happened to you in the past, whoever has hurt you and 'messed' you up, don't be angry, bitter or afraid.  Everything that has happened to you has been for a purpose.  Just like God took the broken body of Jesus and raised him up from the dead, God is raising you up now.  Just like God brought Joseph through trial and hardship and raised him up from the prison to serve the Pharaoh, so God is raising you up now.  Just like God took Daniel and raise him up from the lion's pit, so God is raising you up now.   It may be your darkest hour, and others may be to blame, but know for certain that in the end God will bring you to a better place!