You intended to harm me,
but God intended it for good.
—Genesis 50:20
The things that happened to Joseph were puzzling and faith-challenging: sold into slavery by jealous brothers; jailed because of the false accusation of a lying woman; forgotten and forsaken by those he helped.
It was only in hindsight that he saw how God had crafted good results from bad happenings. “You intended to harm me,” he said to his brothers, “but God intended it for good …”
What is seen as tragedy today may be seen as triumph when ripened by time. The bumps that bruise you in this life may be reclassified as gifts of grace in the next one. With heavenly hindsight you may see blessings in what you thought were catastrophes.
Whether what happens today is good or bad
can only be judged by time.