Use the past to encourage others
Paul did - chief of sinners - 1 Timothy 1:15-16
Joseph did:
Told his brothers to not be distressed or angry with themselves for selling him to slavery
Purpose was to save the lives of his family - Genesis 45:5
He saved himself a lifetime of bitterness and self-pity
Until and unless we see God's presence in our challenges, we are going to sin
Rejection leads to rebellion, which in turn led to failure
We must become thankful rather than resentful or hurt - give the benefit of the doubt
Key to a life of acceptance is develop a deep gratitude for what God has done through our challenges
We must come to peace with the past
Develop his perspective on the matters at hand
Be gracious is your evaluation of others' roles
Forgive yourself and others
Never waste the impact that your past can have on others