What do you focus most on when you feel like you have been mistreated, wronged or bad things happen? What if you had the attitude, "God even in this, you are in it?" Oh, I know that would be hard to do. It would require us to look to and trust God completely. And don't think for a second there would not be times of hurting, disappointment. But God calls us not to pleasantry or success, but to his purpose.

This will include good and bad, fair and unfair times. I think of Joseph: a victim of his brother's scheme, a slave, falsely accused, forgotten and finally promoted (and a lot of years of walking with God not knowing where he was going). But he was sure of one thing - three times he reveals the thing that sustained him, his focus, philosophy and conclusion for life; "...God sent me..." (Genesis 45:5,7,8) What if that were our focus, philosophy and conclusion about life right here and now? You may not yet know where God is taking you, but you can be sure to trust he knows.

Dr. William Burnham is a pastor at Point of Grace Church in Covington. He can be reached at burnhamw@charter.net.