Because the adversary wants us to believe that if we forgive someone, we have said that what they did was okay, and that we are releasing them from all their consequences.

But that is just not true.

Long after Joseph’s brothers threw him in a pit and sold him as a slave, they were almost shocked to discover that Joseph had forgiven them.

Even YEARS later, after their father Jacob died, the brothers were afraid that Joseph had just been putting on an act for their dad.

And that now he would retaliate.

Because who would actually forgive their brothers for doing something like they had done?

But Joseph dismissed their groveling after their father had died and said:

“Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.”

Can you imagine forgiving family members for saying terrible things about you, physically harming you, devaluing you, and literally removing you from the family for 22 years?

And yet, Joseph forgave.

That didn’t change how wrong the brothers had been.

And it didn’t affect any divine consequences that our perfect Judge would dole out.

But it gave Joseph joy and peace.

We don’t know how much Joseph interacted with his brothers after they all moved to Egypt.

Maybe Joseph had strong boundaries with certain brothers, and kept a respectful distance.

Maybe Joseph felt prompted to fully embrace them and let them into his life.

But his words at the end of Genesis tell us that he was ready to comfort and nourish them as needed.

The adversary is so good at feeding us lies about forgiving those who have wronged us, even in very serious degrees.

But the Savior commands us all to forgive.

Why? To find that internal peace, and truly turn it all over to God!

Have you seen blessings from forgiveness in your life? If you feel comfortable, I’d love to hear them <3

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Forgiveness heals us first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

But I’ve also got even more things to be grateful and joyful about!

I see this dichotomy going on inside myself:

So grateful for this chance to bring a third baby into the world when so many who long for this never get the opportunity.

Excited to have a little girl join our family who I know will add more dimension and joy.

Happy that my body has been able to stay fairly healthy thus far and that I’m still able to handle the bare necessities of my other responsibilities.

And then contrast all those feelings with…

Utter exhaustion. Having a shorter amount of patience with my two kids. Frustration that I’m not able to do everything I want to do. Pain. So much physical pain right now. Panic that I have so much to do before she comes. Fear that I’m not going to be able to handle three kids once she does come.

Just the other day, I sat down, exhausted, with my kids climbing all over me. One was asking for snacks, the other was crying for some reason I couldn’t figure out, they both ended up fighting over a toy, and then someone stubbed their toe and became inconsolable.

“Why?!” I pleaded in my mind, not specifically aimed at God, but I guess aimed at God.

“Why can’t you just give me a break? I need it so desperately! You know that!”

I had a cool answer come to my mind that made me laugh and not take the situation so seriously— it was EXACTLY what I needed to reframe my situation.

But I don’t think I’m alone in these two general feelings.

Sometimes, I’m like Joseph of Egypt, who could clearly see his trials for what they were:

“God meant it unto good”. (Genesis 50:20)

And other days, I’m more like Joseph’s brothers who blamed God for every poor circumstance they found themselves in:

“What is this that God hath done unto us?” (Genesis 42:28)

I think I’m going to give myself grace for the days that I feel like Joseph’s brothers.

I’m gonna pray a lot more, because boy, does God like to answer prayers in exactly the way I need them answered.

And I hope I can get better at sticking with Joseph of Egypt’s humble mindset.

It’s all for my good!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post All for my good first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.