Here's The Secret To Overcoming Your Past

Gen. 41:50-51- Now before the year of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore to him. 51 Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, "For," he said, "God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household."   NASU 

• Lets Set The Stage By Reviewing Joseph Early Life 

Joseph you might remember was the boy with the coat of many colors. His dad was Jacob and his mother Rachael. He was the favorite son and is 17 years old at this time.
 
His older half-brothers detested him greatly and when the opportunity came for them to get rid of him they sold him to some slave traders. The slave traders will take him to Egypt where he will be sold again (Gen.37:18-36). 

• If You Have Had a Rough Childhood  

While being a slave his master's wife tries to seduce him. He refuses her advances and she lies about him, which gets him thrown into an Egyptian prison (Gen.39:20). While in prison he is beaten and placed in irons (Ps.105:17-18).
 
In prison he reveals the meaning of dreams to a butler and a baker. The baker will die exactly the way Joseph interpreted his dream.
 
Joseph will interpret a dream for the butler and when it happens exactly the way Joseph said the butler doesn’t help Joseph like he said he would. He will use this knowledge later to help Joseph to be freed from prison, but not immediately. 

• God's Blessings Can Come in an Instant and Change Your Life Immediately 

Next, the Pharaoh has a dream and wants the dream revealed and interpreted, but there isn't anyone who can reveal his dream and interpret it.
 
When no one is able to interpret the dream the butler remembers Joseph can interpret dreams. Joseph is brought in and he reveals Pharaoh's dream and it's interpretation. The meaning of his dream is Egypt is will experience seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine.
 
God has given Joseph the ability to reveal and interpret the dream of Pharaoh, and because of this, the Pharaoh places him second in command over all Egypt at this time. 

•  Forget All Your Past Troubles 

Joseph named his firstborn son, Manasseh, which means "God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household."  Joseph goes to Egypt when he is 17 years old as a slave. We are not exactly sure how old he was when thrown into prison for a crime he didn't commit. We do know that he will get out at the age of 30. Therefore, he could have spent 13 years or fewer in prison.
 
Joseph says, "God has made him forget…" So what about you, can you say I have had my share of troubles?  Have people lied about you? Have people been jealous of you or your accomplishments?
 
Have you been sexually harassed or physically abused? Have you been in prison for a crime you didn't commit? Have you been hurt by family members?
 
If you are able to answer "yes" to any of these questions then let me ask you one more question. 

• Have You Had Your Manasseh Moment? 

Have you been able to let it go? Have you been able to "forget about it"? Joseph said God was able to assist him in forgetting his troubled past. In fact, he names his first son, Manasseh, which means "causing to forget".
 
The secret to overcoming past hurts is to ask God for help. Ask Him to help you have a Manasseh moment.
 
God helped Joseph and He will help you.
 
Think on These:
 
It is far better to forgive and forget than to hate and remember.
 
We are like a beast when we kill, men when we judge others and God when we forgive.
 
Stay Pumped,
 
Gary A. Serago
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