Blessings and curses are often confusing. Sometimes what seems to be a curse (like getting paid less than expected at a new job) turns out to be a blessing (like getting a free place to live, see this post). And, sometimes what appears to be a blessing can turn into a curse, like being rich and famous just to throw you life away on drugs and worthless possessions.

As I was reading in Genesis 42 the other day it really struck me when Joseph’s brothers had been blessed but mistook God’s blessing for a curse. They had come to the land of Egypt to buy grain, and Joseph had given them the grain and also put their money back into the sacks. So as they traveled back to the land of Canaan they suddenly realized that they not only got grain to feed their starving families, but that the grain was free. Their response? They were miserable. And, the next time they went to buy grain they took the money with them to give it back.

So, later when they came back to buy more grain they humbly approached Joseph’s servant, thinking that this curse was going to bring trouble to them:

So they went up to the steward of Joseph’s house and spoke with him at the door of the house, and said, “Oh, my lord, we came down the first time to buy food. And when we came to the lodging place we opened our sacks, and there was each man’s money in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight. So we have brought it again with us, and we have brought other money down with us to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks.” He replied, “Peace to you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has put treasure in your sacks for you. I received your money.”
-Genesis 43:19-23 (ESV)

I really love how nonchalant the steward’s response is, “I received your money” as if to say, I got the cash, God did something great, what of it?

Maybe it’s just me, or maybe it’s just early in the morning, but as I meditate on this passage and think about my life I am reminded of the need to be discerning in realizing that often situations that look bad are meant for my good and meant to become a blessing. And, at the same time, not everything that looks good is, like Eve looking at the fruit and seeing that it was good just to eat it and fall (Genesis 3:6).

Let me encourage you, if there is something difficult in your life right now, don’t reject it too quickly as a curse, it just might be God’s blessing in disguise. After all, God has been known to do some amazing things out of tough situations. I pray that all of us will recognize God’s blessing when it comes our way and embrace it rather than running from it.