Which Way Out: Escaping Dysfunction

Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (GNT)

• 4 INESCAPABLE TRUTHS ABOUT TIMES WHEN WE ARE TESTED:
• TESTS & TEMPTATIONS ARE NORMAL.

No temptation has seized you that isn’t common for people. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (CEB)

• GOD REMAINS RELIABLE.
• In fact, He will allow my faith to be tested to make me stronger.

Whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. Let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed you will be strong in character and ready for anything.  James 1:2-4 (NLT1996) 

• He will provide a way out for me.
• WE NEED GOD’S POWER.

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 (NIV)

• ESCAPE IS OPTIONAL:  MY FAITH IS ESSENTIAL TO MY ESCAPE.

Who did God swear would never enter his place of rest? He was talking about those who didn’t obey him. 19 So we see that they couldn’t enter his place of rest because they didn’t believe.  Hebrews 3:18-19 (GW)

Through him we have received God’s kindness and the privilege of being apostles who bring people from every nation to the obedience that is associated with faith. Romans 1:5a (GW)

The Lord is constantly watching everyone, and he gives strength to those who faithfully obey him. 2 Chronicles 16:9 (CEV)

I pray that you will begin to understand how incredibly great his power is to help those who believe him. It is that same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in heaven… Ephesians 1:19-20 (TLB)

• JOSEPH’S ROADMAP TO ESCAPING DYSFUNCTION IN MY LIFE…
• HOLD ON TO THE DREAM GOD HAS FOR ME.

One night Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him more than ever.6  “Listen to this dream,” he said. 7  “We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine!” 8 His brothers responded, “So you think you will be our king, do you? Do you actually think you will reign over us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dreams and the way he talked about them. 9 Soon Joseph had another dream, and again he told his brothers about it. “Listen, I have had another dream,” he said. “The sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed low before me!” 10 This time he told the dream to his father as well as to his brothers, but his father scolded him. “What kind of dream is that?” he asked. “Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow to the ground before you?” Genesis 37:5-10 (NLT)

• SEE THROUGH SATAN’S LIES WITH 50/20 VISION.

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20 (NIV)

• LET GO OF BITTERNESS THAT CAN CONTROL ME.

So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. Genesis 50:21 (NIV)

Joseph had to deal with the memories of…

• A father who favored him.
• Brothers who enslaved him.
• A lying woman who framed him.
• A boss who imprisoned him.
• A cellmate who forgot him.

Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others…32 Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ. Ephesians 4:31a, 32 (CEV)

NOTE: Overcoming bad relationships requires building good ones.

Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God’s best blessings. Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives. Hebrews 12:15 (TLB)

• LIVE TO PLEASE GOD WHO GAVE ME THE DREAM.

Joseph was well-built and good-looking, 7 and after a while his master’s wife began to desire Joseph and asked him to go to bed with her. 8 He refused and said to her, “Look, my master does not have to concern himself with anything in the house, because I am here. He has put me in charge of everything he has. 9 I have as much authority in this house as he has, and he has not kept back anything from me except you. How then could I do such an immoral thing and sin against God?”  Genesis 39:6b-10 (GNT)

Whether we live or die we make it our life’s passion to live our lives pleasing to him. 2 Corinthians 5:9 (NLT)