Breaking the Cycle

Hurt and pain within families is often passed down from generation to generation. The old adage that “hurt people hurt people” is too often true. The cycle is only broken when someone who has been hurt responds not with pain but with blessing instead. We see just that in the life of Joseph. Abused by his brothers and sold into slavery, Joseph chose not to retaliate but to bless. And the cycle was broken. Joseph’s life pointed to another who was to come. He too would be abused and cast out. But rather than retaliate, he willing suffered and died so that we might live. On the cross, Jesus broke the cycle of sin and death and blessed us with forgiveness and grace. He became the ultimate victim so that we could live as ultimate victors!