When you consider the grain of corn and the process it goes through to become a favorite meal of the day be it breakfast, lunch or supper. You realize that sometimes you need the unpleasant situations ( the Mill) to turn out right.
I want to share a few verses to encourage you if you are going through the Mill.
Let’s consider Joseph and the 5 P’s in his life.
Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more.
Genesis 37:5 NIV
http://bible.com/111/gen.37.5.NIV
Joseph’s beautiful dream showed him a picture of his future. However I do not think he thought that events to the manifestation of this dream would be so difficult. But God took him through the Mill and in the end the dream came to pass.
The mill is a not so Good place to be but the end brings joy. It’s like being in the hands of a potter: breaking, melting and molding.
For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.
Habakkuk 2:3 NIV
http://bible.com/111/hab.2.3.NIV
The First P : The pit.
Joseph was thrown into a pit by his own brothers waiting to be sold off as a slave, what an unfortunate place to be. Sometimes you find yourself in the darkest place in life and the people you know should be holding your hand and helping you are the same people who are waiting to sell you out; these people are usually happy to know you are in a dark and difficult place. But little do they know that you are going through the Mill being prepared to be a finished product.
The second P: Potiphar’s house
The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!”
Genesis 39:2, 7 NIV
http://bible.com/111/gen.39.2-7.NIV
Sometimes even in the Mill things seem good for a while (A slave who prospers) until you realize that was God giving you a breather. Joseph was doing well though a slave, when his test came; he passed the test and you would think that passing test will launch him into his beautiful dream, but it threw him into a situation where there was less hope than before. When you are going through a test you should remember that there is always a place of escape and look for it, sometimes we give up too soon. And instead of the test taking you closer to God so that you can find out the way of escape, you rather drift from His presence and do and say all kinds of things that makes you feel more inadequate.
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
http://bible.com/111/1co.10.13.NIV
The third P: Prison
Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison,
Genesis 39:20 NIV
http://bible.com/111/gen.39.20.NIV
Though Joseph was innocent he was thrown in prison. And in that situation (the Mill) the Bible says the Lord was with him. Sometimes you think that it’s only when you go through good times that God is with you. In every situation God is with you, the Bible says hes your ever present help in time of need. You need to be tough so the Master looks on while you go through the training process to be tough. It does not mean God does not care but He is more concerned about your holiness than your happiness. Holiness brings joy.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
Isaiah 43:2 NIV
http://bible.com/111/isa.43.2.NIV
God is with you in perilous times, difficult times and good times as well.
The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.
Genesis 39:23 NIV
http://bible.com/111/gen.39.23.NIV
Instead of complaining you must learn to allow the process. Joseph was well behaved in prison so he was given a position of authority which was to help him gain skills for his future. But at the time he was going through it, he didn’t know he was being prepared for the future. God cannot put you in a position when he has not prepared you for it. He loves to gain the glory and will do all he can to ensure that when you are put in the position of authority you will perform to the glory of his name.
The fourth P: Palace
So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh.
Genesis 41:14 NIV
http://bible.com/111/gen.41.14.NIV
It took two years for the cup bearer to remember Joseph but at the right time he remembered him and Joseph enjoyed a free make over because he had to go to the palace. When the time fully comes things fall in place. The difficulty is the waiting for the time to come. The time between interpreting the dreams in prison and called to the palace was two years or more but Joseph was patient. He did not become offended that he had been betrayed nor did he become bitter. Sometimes when you are in that difficult situation (the Mill) people make a lot of promises to you. And you put our trust in them, you feel betrayed when they don’t show up, but until the appointed time is up and God himself makes the move to place you there you have to endure and be patient.
I waited patiently for the Lord ; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
Psalm 40:1-2 NIV
http://bible.com/111/psa.40.1-2.NIV
Let’s wait patiently for God’s timing.
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV
http://bible.com/111/ecc.3.1.NIV
In God’s time he makes everything beautiful.
The fifth P: Prime Minister
So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God ?” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”
Genesis 41:38-40 NIV
http://bible.com/111/gen.41.38-40.NIV
Joseph did not only interprate the dream he also gave strategies for dealing with national crises.
Truly He has make everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV
http://bible.com/111/ecc.3.11.NIV
I do not need to say more because the Bible says it for itself. When the process through the mill is done you are definately ready for the position where people will see and give glory to God.
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Restore our fortunes, Lord , like streams in the Negev. Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.
Psalm 126:1-6 NIV
http://bible.com/111/psa.126.1-6.NIV
As you go through the Mill don’t give up, keep trusting and believing. God will surprise you.
When you are going through the Mill.
When you consider the grain of corn and the process it goes through to become a favorite meal of the day be it breakfast, lunch or supper. You realize that sometimes you need the unpleasant situations ( the Mill) to turn out right.
I want to share a few verses to encourage you if you are going through the Mill.
Let’s consider Joseph and the 5 P’s in his life.
Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more.
Genesis 37:5 NIV
http://bible.com/111/gen.37.5.NIV
Joseph’s beautiful dream showed him a picture of his future. However I do not think he thought that events to the manifestation of this dream would be so difficult. But God took him through the Mill and in the end the dream came to pass.
The mill is a not so Good place to be but the end brings joy. It’s like being in the hands of a potter: breaking, melting and molding.
For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.
Habakkuk 2:3 NIV
http://bible.com/111/hab.2.3.NIV
The First P : The pit.
Joseph was thrown into a pit by his own brothers waiting to be sold off as a slave, what an unfortunate place to be. Sometimes you find yourself in the darkest place in life and the people you know should be holding your hand and helping you are the same people who are waiting to sell you out; these people are usually happy to know you are in a dark and difficult place. But little do they know that you are going through the Mill being prepared to be a finished product.
The second P: Potiphar’s house
The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!”
Genesis 39:2, 7 NIV
http://bible.com/111/gen.39.2-7.NIV
Sometimes even in the Mill things seem good for a while (A slave who prospers) until you realize that was God giving you a breather. Joseph was doing well though a slave, when his test came; he passed the test and you would think that passing test will launch him into his beautiful dream, but it threw him into a situation where there was less hope than before. When you are going through a test you should remember that there is always a place of escape and look for it, sometimes we give up too soon. And instead of the test taking you closer to God so that you can find out the way of escape, you rather drift from His presence and do and say all kinds of things that makes you feel more inadequate.
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
http://bible.com/111/1co.10.13.NIV
The third P: Prison
Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison,
Genesis 39:20 NIV
http://bible.com/111/gen.39.20.NIV
Though Joseph was innocent he was thrown in prison. And in that situation (the Mill) the Bible says the Lord was with him. Sometimes you think that it’s only when you go through good times that God is with you. In every situation God is with you, the Bible says hes your ever present help in time of need. You need to be tough so the Master looks on while you go through the training process to be tough. It does not mean God does not care but He is more concerned about your holiness than your happiness. Holiness brings joy.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
Isaiah 43:2 NIV
http://bible.com/111/isa.43.2.NIV
God is with you in perilous times, difficult times and good times as well.
The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.
Genesis 39:23 NIV
http://bible.com/111/gen.39.23.NIV
Instead of complaining you must learn to allow the process. Joseph was well behaved in prison so he was given a position of authority which was to help him gain skills for his future. But at the time he was going through it, he didn’t know he was being prepared for the future. God cannot put you in a position when he has not prepared you for it. He loves to gain the glory and will do all he can to ensure that when you are put in the position of authority you will perform to the glory of his name.
The fourth P: Palace
So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh.
Genesis 41:14 NIV
http://bible.com/111/gen.41.14.NIV
It took two years for the cup bearer to remember Joseph but at the right time he remembered him and Joseph enjoyed a free make over because he had to go to the palace. When the time fully comes things fall in place. The difficulty is the waiting for the time to come. The time between interpreting the dreams in prison and called to the palace was two years or more but Joseph was patient. He did not become offended that he had been betrayed nor did he become bitter. Sometimes when you are in that difficult situation (the Mill) people make a lot of promises to you. And you put our trust in them, you feel betrayed when they don’t show up, but until the appointed time is up and God himself makes the move to place you there you have to endure and be patient.
I waited patiently for the Lord ; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
Psalm 40:1-2 NIV
http://bible.com/111/psa.40.1-2.NIV
Let’s wait patiently for God’s timing.
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV
http://bible.com/111/ecc.3.1.NIV
In God’s time he makes everything beautiful.
The fifth P: Prime Minister
So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God ?” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”
Genesis 41:38-40 NIV
http://bible.com/111/gen.41.38-40.NIV
Joseph did not only interprate the dream he also gave strategies for dealing with national crises.
Truly He has make everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV
http://bible.com/111/ecc.3.11.NIV
I do not need to say more because the Bible says it for itself. When the process through the mill is done you are definately ready for the position where people will see and give glory to God.
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Restore our fortunes, Lord , like streams in the Negev. Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.
Psalm 126:1-6 NIV
http://bible.com/111/psa.126.1-6.NIV
As you go through the Mill don’t give up, keep trusting and believing. God will surprise you.
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