Joseph's Healing of Memories (Part 1)

Scripture: "When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, 'What if Joseph bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong which we did to him!' So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, 'Your father charged before he died, saying, 'Thus you shall say to Joseph, 'Please forgive I beg you the transgression of your brothers and their sin, for they did you wrong.' And now please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God your father.' And Joseph when they spoke to him... But Joseph said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for am I in God's place? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. So therefore, do not be afraid, I will provide for you and your little ones.' So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them." (Genesis 50: 15-21)

The story of Joseph is a story of healing of painful memories. As a teenager, his family members - his jealous brothers - hated him so much and plotted to kill him. And they actually sold him into slavery.

It's understandable that Joseph would suffer a time of experiencing emotional baggage and pain from these experiences. In chapters 42, 43, and 45 of Genesis, he was unable to control his weeping when he saw his brothers 22 to 39 years later after the offense! There were emotions related to the memory even after some time.

But Joseph got healed. God's Spirit worked in him to bring healing to his damaged emotions, healing of memories. We learn the following steps from Joseph that led to the healing of his painful memories.

# 1 Share the memory with God.
# 2 Thank God for the gifts and blessings.
# 3 Replace the wound with love.

God stands ready to heal painful memories when we've been hurt. He did it to Joseph. He will and can do the same to you and I.