For some, Christmas is a sad day rather than a happy one. If that is you, don’t you dare give up hope now after how far you've come. Often the most difficult times of our lives lead to the happiest times in our lives. When it seems God has abandoned you, He may be directing every detail.

I've always been inspired by the story of Joseph, son of Jacob. Each time he succeeded, he was dealt a crushing setback. How easily he could have turned against God and blamed Him for allowing such horrible things to happen to him when he was trying so hard to do right. Instead, he trusted that the Lord had a greater plan. Each difficulty moved Joseph another step closer to where the Lord needed him. But not only that, his difficulties had another purpose. They made him into the type of person that could see what the Lord needed of him when he got there.

Like Joseph, you are being shaped and molded into the person that you have to be in order to succeed the day God answers your prayers and makes your dreams come true.