If you have ever watched the movie Forrest Gump -- you may recall a scene in which Forrest’s lifelong friend, Jenny -- returned to see the now empty house where she had grown up.

Jenny had been raised in a home where she was abused by her father.

Her father had left his mark on Jenny in a horrible way -- profoundly affecting her life choices.

And now -- years later -- seeing that house; -- the house where she grew up; -- that house from which she ran to an even more destructive way of life; -- seeing that house brought back painful memories.

The hurt from those painful years in her life had not gone away.

The wounds had never fully healed -- so she picks up rocks & begins throwing them at the house -- breaking out the windows; -- continuing until she is almost exhausted.

And Forrest Gump -- watching her -- appropriately comments: -- “Sometimes there just aren’t enough rocks!”

Let me ask you something: -- Have you run out of rocks?

Rocks are what we hurl at objects -- or individuals -- who remind us of our pain.

We may not use literal rocks; -- it may be actions -- or words -- that we employ to strike back at almost anyone -- or anything -- in an attempt to off-set some of our own hurt.

It may be in the form of a sarcastic comment here or there; --

It may be a bit of excessive behavior; -- drinking in an effort to forget the pain; -- or illicit drugs; -- or sexual permissiveness.

We somehow hope that maybe we won’t hurt quite so bad --as long as we have rocks to throw!

Jenny’s way-ward adult life -- that is portrayed in the movie -- Forrest Gump -- is presented as a futile effort at numbing the pain of her past wounds.

The trouble is that the deep hurts & the deep wounds of our lives can not be fully healed -- by simply throwing rocks.

Sooner or later -- we’ll run out of rocks; -- we’ll discover that we’ve hurt others in the process; -- & we’ll find that the pain is still there!

And reduced to a puddle of unmanageable emotions -- we find our-selves having to come to grips with the rest of life -- wondering how we’ll cope.

This morning I want to talk to you about the healing of deep wounds.

There is a man in the Bible whose family deeply wounded him.

His name is Joseph -- & his story is found in Genesis -- beginning with chapter 37 -- & continuing to the end of Genesis -- in chapter 50.

I want to focus on an event in Gen. 50 -- so you may wish to turn there.

But before we get to the Scripture reading -- you may want to recall Joseph’s family background.

Talk about a dysfunctional family -- here in one if there ever was such!

Joseph’s father was married to two sisters at the same time -- & he also kept two mistresses.

The father had 13 children through these four women -- all of whom lived together in the same household.

Twelve of those children were boys; -- now that’s a handful.

Joseph’s only sister had been raped -- which angered her brothers!

His brothers were all guilty of murder -- theft & gross immorality.

Before Joseph was 10 years old -- his mother died -- while giving birth to his younger brother -- Benjamin.

Joseph was the favorite son of his father’s favorite wife!

And because of that -- his father made for him a beautiful robe of many colors -- & fit for a prince.

His brothers hated Joseph because of their father’s partiality -- & could not speak a kind word to him. -- They were consumed with jealousy!

At the age of 17 -- Joseph was attacked by his brothers -- who stripped him of his beautiful robe.

They threw Joseph into a deep hole in the ground -- & would have killed him -- except one of his brothers talked the rest of them out of it.

Instead of committing murder -- the brothers sold Joseph to some slave traders -- who took him down to Egypt.

The brothers then lied to their father -- telling him that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal.

Even in Egypt -- events went against this young man, Joseph.

He was falsely accused of sexual assault -- & thrown into prison.

He was forgotten there -- in prison -- by a man who had promised to help Joseph gain his release.

Joseph had a lot of reasons to throw rocks; -- lots of them!

But in spite of all these obstacles -- & through an incredible series of events -- Joseph became second in command in the great Egyptian empire!

The story of this young man who went from the pit to the palace -- & from rags to riches -- never loses its charm!

Joseph rose to prominence -- in spite of all the calamities along the way.

During a 7-year period of famine throughout the land -- it was Joseph’s responsibility to manage the distribution of grain to everyone in Egypt -- & the surrounding areas.

Because of the famine -- his brothers, who had so mistreated Joseph -- were forced to come to Egypt seeking food.

Joseph recognized his brothers -- but they did not recognize him!

When Joseph finally identified himself to his brothers -- they were at first frighten -- & full of shame & guilt -- but Joseph spoke assuring words to them -- & invited them -- along with their father, Jacob, to come & live in Egypt -- where they would be provided for very well.

When Joseph’s father died -- they took his body back to the land of Canaan for burial. -- Then Joseph & his brothers returned to Egypt.

Now we come to our Scripture: -- Gen. 50:15-21.

Wow! -- What a passage! --

The brothers were saying: -- “Now that father is dead -- Joseph will surely pay us back for all the evil we did to him!”

So they sent a message to Joseph asking him for forgiveness; -- yes, forgiveness in the place of revenge!

When Joseph received the message -- he broke down & wept!

Then his brothers came & bowed low before him saying, “We are your salves!” -- Now was the time Joseph could have thrown rocks!

Instead -- Joseph replies: -- “Don’t be afraid of me. -- Am I God, to judge & punish you?”

And then that great statement in vs. 20 -- “As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good.”

There was no question as to the intentions of Joseph’s brothers; -- they had meant all they had done for evil!

But God’s intentions included their wicked purpose -- & God overruled them! -- The Almighty God has always had the last word!

Those two words -- “But God” -- make all the difference in the world!

Many lives that seem marred by accident -- are actually being made by providence! -- God’s sovereignty can overrule man’s stupidity!

God can turn winds of adversity into showers of blessing!

Joseph’s life is an excellent example of how God can bring healing to the deep wounds of our lives!

After all he’d been through; -- after all the hurts -- the betrayal & unfair treatment -- Joseph found healing! -- Somehow Joseph made it!

Joseph had a deep understanding -- of how God in His wonderful providence -- turns apparent tragedies into bountiful blessings!

My friends -- trust the Lord when distressing circumstances come into your life! -- You can be sure that God has a plan!

Allow me to share some thoughts on how we can discover healing in our lives in spite of the bitter experiences that may come our way: --

1. If you desire healing -- Guard Against Bitterness!

I love that old story of the farmer who was seen plowing his field with a mule. -- After watching him for a while, a friend observed saying: “I don’t like to tell you how to run your business -- but you could save yourself a lot of work by saying, 'Gee’ & 'Haw’ to that mule instead of just tugging on those lines.”

The old farmer pulled a big handkerchief from his pocket & wiped his forehead. -- Then he said, “Reckon you’re right -- but 5 years ago this here animal kicked me -- & I ain’t spoke at him since.”

Now that is bitterness!

Bitterness always inflicts a deeper wound on the person who harbors it -- than the person against whom it is directed.

Bitterness is what can occur when we choose to dwell on our wounds.

Maybe you have gotten into the habit of picturing the one that has wounded you -- & imagining all sorts of bad things you would enjoy seeing come upon that person -- as payback!

Bitterness can lead to a desire for personal revenge.

Joseph’s brothers just assumed he would be bitter at them because of their mistreatment of him.

Now that their father was dead -- what would keep Joseph from enacting some form of payback? -- But his brothers did not need to be afraid -- because Joseph wasn’t bitter.

Joseph wasn’t bitter; -- even though he had every right to be bitter -- having been sold into slavery at the age of 17. -- Still he was not bitter!

Joseph was not bitter because he left the righting of wrongs to God!

Joseph was able to say to his brothers -- “Don’t be afraid. Do I act for God?” -- In other words -- Joseph is saying: -- “I’m not in the business of pay-back. -- I’m not in the business of throwing rocks. -- God alone rights wrongs -- so I don’t have to settle the score.”

My friends -- deep wounds will never be healed if we let ourselves become bitter! -- In bitterness we want to spread the hurt.

But we do so at the expense of leaving our own wounds unmended.

The Bible instructs us: -- “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, & slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior. -- Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you” (Eph. 4:31-32 NLT).

It’s been told that Gen. Robert E. Lee -- after the Civil War was over -- visited a KY lady -- who showed him the remains of a large old tree in front of her house.

She cried bitterly that its limbs & trunk had been destroyed by Union artillery fire. -- She looked to Lee for a word condemning the soldiers of the North -- or at least sympathizing with her loss.

After a brief silence -- Lee said: -- “Cut it down, my dear Madam -- & forget it.”

My dear friends -- get rid of all your bitterness!

If you let it take root -- it can poison the rest of your life!

Joseph was a wise man! -- He knew God wouldn’t heal his hurt as long as he carried a bitter desire to see harm come to his brothers.

Do you have a deep wound inflicted by someone in your past?

If so -- guard against bitterness -- by trusting God to right the wrong!

Without this -- healing will not occur!

2. If you desire healing -- Take Steps Toward Forgiveness!

I don’t take this point of forgiveness lightly.

Forgiveness is difficult when you’ve been hurt deeply.

The last thing we may want to do -- is to forgive.

But remember -- we’re talking about the healing of deep wounds!

And deep wounds require serious treatment.

Some people think forgiving -- is simply forgetting. -- It is not!

Deep wounds are never forgotten! -- And that is all the more a reason why forgiveness needs to occur.

Other people think that forgiveness will minimize the hurt. -- It doesn’t.

Forgiveness is unnatural -- unfair -- & illogical.

Forgiveness just doesn’t make sense.

And yet -- & yet -- forgiveness is the only solution -- if we are ever to fully experience healing in the deep wounds of our life.

It is the only way to break the cycle of blame & pain.

Without forgiveness -- there is no healing.

Forgiving someone doesn’t make them right; -- it makes you free!

Joseph’s brothers had wounded him deeply!

And they wondered -- “Could Joseph ever forgive us for the terrible things we did to him?” -- In fact, they were afraid of Joseph.

So they came to Joseph offering themselves as his slaves.

What did Joseph do? -- Joseph modeled perfect forgiveness!

He demonstrated how God graciously accepts us -- even though we don’t deserve it.

Joseph said to them -- “You have nothing to fear; -- I’ll take care of you & your children.” -- & he reassured them, speaking with them very kindly.

That is forgiveness demonstrated so very beautifully!

The greatest example of forgiveness -- of course -- is Jesus Christ.

Evil men accused Him falsely; -- convicted Him unjustly; -- beat Him unmercifully; -- mocked Him cruelly; -- spiked Him to a Cross -- & hanged Him up to die!

With blood running over His forehead -- down His arms & across His feet -- with His back scourged unmercifully -- Jesus looked down from the Cross -- at the hostile crowd & prayed: -- “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”

My friends -- Forgiveness isn’t a feeling; -- It’s a choice!

When we forgive -- the healing process can at last begin.

The key to forgiveness is to remember how much we have been forgiven by God! -- Each one of us has offended God in a major way because of our sins. -- But God sent His one & only Son, Jesus, to give us a way to be reunited with Him -- & to know the joy of sins forgiven!

Remember -- the Lord forgave you -- so you must forgive others!

3. If you desire healing -- Believe in God’s Greater Purpose!

One of the most amazing & most profound verses in the Bible -- is Gen. 50:20 -- where Joseph tells his brothers: -- “As for you, you thought evil against me -- but God meant it onto good.”

“You planned evil against me -- but God used those same plans for good.” -- God turned into good what the brothers meant for evil!

God never puts a stamp of approval on evil & sin.

What Joseph’s brothers did was wrong!

However -- as Joseph looks back on his life -- he sees it is no accident that he is where he is! -- As Prime Minister of Egypt!

Even in the midst of all the bad that happened to Joseph -- God used it for good.

His brothers intended to harm him; -- but God intended it for good!

I am so thankful to know -- that God is so wise -- & so powerful -- that nothing -- absolutely nothing -- can cause His purposes to fail!

In fact -- God is able to take even those things man wants to use for evil -- & make them work for good!

It is reassuring to realize that no matter what someone might do to harm us -- the Lord is able to turn it into our benefit -- & His glory.

My friends -- rejoice today in God’s wisdom & power!

And remember that Rom. 8:28 is still true; -- “We know that all things work together for the good of them that love God.”

God’s providence teaches us that life has no accidents -- just happenings!

If I can truly believe that nothing happens by accident; -- if I can believe that nothing I go through in life is wasted; -- if I can believe that God will always provide a greater benefit then the thing I endure -- then there is no reason for me to fear!

Nothing occurs without God’s knowledge -- or apart from His direct -- or permissive will!

The Lord can take any deed -- whether of Satan or man -- & turn it around for His own purpose & glory!

God can turn winds of adversity into showers of blessing!

The poet/song writer -- William Cowper, has written: --

God moves in a mysterious way -- His wonder to perform;

He plants His footsteps in the sea, -- And rides upon the storm.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take. -- The clouds ye so much dread

Are big with mercy & shall break -- In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, -- But trust Him for His grace;

Behind a frowning providence -- He hides a smiling face.

I love that song! -- It suggests that events which seem tragic to us -- often turn out to be rich blessings from God.

A good example of this is found in the life of Samuel L. Brengle -- an outstanding Salvation Army officer of another generation.

At one time in his ministry a wicked man attempted to kill Brengle by throwing a paving brick at his head.

Brengle survived the attack -- but he had a long convalescent period.

During those months -- he wrote many blessed & inspired articles on “the sanctified life.”

Later -- because of their value -- the articles were put into a book entitled, Helps to Holiness.

It was his best & most useful work! -- Referring to that earlier incident -- Brengle’s wife would say: -- “Had there been no brick, there would have been no book!”

She was convinced that the Lord had allowed the “tragedy” -- so that her husband would have time to write.

Because of this -- she preserved the brick -- & painted on it the words of our text: -- “But as for you, you thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good.”

Oh how blessed it is to know -- that our Heavenly Father overrules sin & error -- & even the evil intentions of others -- for His glory & our good!

If you are going through a deep wounding in your life right now -- or you have at sometime in your past -- before you give up on God -- consider what greater purpose He might have for you!

God is even now in the process of bringing out great possibilities through your bitter experiences!

He did that in Joseph’s life -- & He’ll do it in yours!

Believe in His greater purpose!

Conclusion: --

Deep wounds can be healed! -- Joseph’s life proves it!

Where are you right now with regard to the hurt & pain in your life?

Instead of throwing rocks -- do you need to guard against bitterness?

Do you need to take some steps toward forgiveness?

Do you need help seeing God’s greater purpose in your pain?

I’m pretty sure that at the bottom of the pit -- when he feared for his life -- Joseph wasn’t fully aware of God’s overall plan for his life.

And after being thrown into prison for something he didn’t do -- he still did not see the whole picture.

But Joseph lived by principles & by promises -- not by explanations!

Joseph believed the promise that God would never leave him.

So because of that -- he had hope in the midst of the unknown.

Are you passing through some kind of a “Gethsemane” today -- dear friend? -- Are you groaning beneath the “cross” of affliction -- sorrow -- or bereavement?

Then ask God in faith for patience to wait until He unveils the plan & purpose behind it all!

Do you always think that the worst will happen to you?

Then ponder these beautiful words from the book of Jeremiah.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good & not for disaster, -- to give you a future & a hope” (29:11).

Rather than throwing rocks because of your hurt & pain; --

Rather than jumping to wrong conclusions about what may happen to you; -- trust God! -- He always does what is best!