What is Beauty? According to Oxford Languages dictionary, beauty is a combination of qualities, such as shape, color, or form, that pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight.
This is an accurate definition of how most people would define beauty. We tend to measure beauty by its outward appearance but what if beauty was not based on the outward appearance? What if the beauty of something was more than the physical eye could see? What if the beauty of something could only be discerned spiritually and with the wisdom of God?
In this blog post, I want to talk about the beauty of all of life’s circumstances. This year I have learned that there is beauty in every circumstance, even those we would deem as “ugly”! For example, losing a job could be seen as an “ugly” circumstance. Losing a car could be seen as an “ugly” circumstance. Losing a friend could be seen as an “ugly” circumstance. Yet what if God is using those “ugly” circumstances for your good? What if God is using those “ugly” circumstances to prepare you for a purpose greater than you could imagine?
A perfect example, is Joseph in the Bible. He went through a series of “ugly” circumstances that ultimately set him up as ruler. He went from a pit, to overseer of his masters house, then to a dungeon and then finally to the palace. He went from being a slave boy betrayed by his family to being a ruler and second in command over all of Egypt. The unexpected “ugly” circumstances in his life led him to a place of honor and a position of prominence. Through everything that he went through, the Lord was undeniably with him!
Genesis 39:2-4 NKJV
“The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority.”
He found favor and got promoted even while in prison. Even his master and those around him were blessed.
Genesis 39:5 NKJV
“So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field.”
The Lord’s hand and blessing was always on Joseph’s life and everything he went through was apart of God’s beautiful masterplan. Most of us wouldn’t view being betrayed by family or thrown in prison as beautiful. Most of us would think that the Lord is punishing us or that he has forsaken us. Yet the Lord promises to never leave us or forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:6)
What I love the most about Joseph is his love, faithfulness, and obedience to God despite his “ugly” circumstances. He could have shook his fists at God. He could have decided to stop being obedient to God because his dreams led him to a prison instead of what God had shown him. He could have decided that God was a liar and walked away from God yet he continued to serve the Lord in the midst of temptation.
Genesis 39:7-10 NKJV
“And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.” But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her.”
He was a slave yet he still remained obedient. He didn’t use his circumstances as an excuse to disobey God’s Word. His act of obedience got him thrown into an ugly dungeon yet in this dungeon is where a divine appointment with destiny took place. In this dungeon, he interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh’s chief butler and baker.
Genesis 40:8 NKJV
“And they said to him, “We each have had a dream, and there is no interpreter of it.” So Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me, please.””
Joseph was bold in interpreting the dreams even though his own dream had not come to pass. Imagine if he would have been offended with God and decided that all dreams from God was a lie?
Because of his accurate interpretation from the Lord, he was remembered two years later and brought before Pharaoh.
Genesis 41:14-16 NKJV
“Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it.” So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”
Another thing I love about Joseph is his humility. He did not take the credit for his accuracy yet he gave all of the glory to God! Because of his wisdom that could only come from God, he was promoted!
Genesis 41:39-41 NKJV
“Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”
Even in such a high position, Joseph continued to remain humble. When he encountered his brothers that betrayed him, he showed them love and mercy. He was able to recognize God’s divine plan in sending him to Egypt.
Genesis 45:4-8 NKJV
“And Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near to me.” So they came near. Then he said: “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and Lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.”
He could have been prideful and angry towards his brothers. He could have thrown them all into prison to receive the same treatment he endured yet he embraced them with the love of God. He knew that God’s plan was meant for good.
Genesis 50:18-21 NKJV
“Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, “Behold, we are your servants.” Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.”
God got the ultimate glory out of his story and all of the “ugly” circumstances he endured led to a beautiful life full of blessings, favor, redemption and restoration.
I don’t know what “ugly” circumstances you have endured or are currently experiencing but take some time to seek the Lord’s perspective on what you are going through. Ask him to show you what he is trying to teach you in this circumstance. Ask him to reveal to you the beauty of what you are going through. If you truly love God and you are surrendered to him, all things are working together for your good.
Romans 8:28 NKJV
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
ALL THINGS! Even the “ugly” things! One day you will be able to see how the Lord used every painful situation, disappointment, loss, betrayal, heartbreak etc. for his glory and for your beautiful story. Your story will be beautiful. Allow God to reveal the story to you. It is already written.
Psalms 139:16-18 NLT
“You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!”
The Lord’s plans for you are beautiful! They are to prosper you and not to harm you! (Jeremiah 29:11)
I pray that you will see your life through God’s eyes and that you would completely trust in him! He’s the master planner! He the master strategist! He’s the restorer of all! Trust him! Nothing you are experiencing is a surprise to him. You’re in good hands! Know that God’s love for you is endless and his love for you is timeless. His lover never fails.
