Trusting God: Turning Trials into Triumphs
Summary
Life often deals us hands that seem unfair, broken, or even hopeless. Like the game of Uno, where a single reverse card can change the outcome, God has the power to turn our losses into wins if we learn to trust Him first. Every aspect of our lives—our family, background, struggles, and even our failures—are part of the hand God has given us, and He intends to use it all for our good and His glory. The story of Joseph is a powerful example: despite betrayal, false accusations, and imprisonment, Joseph consistently put God first, and God reversed his circumstances in ways no one could have predicted.
Sometimes, the “pit” seasons of our lives are not punishment but protection. God hides us to develop the grit and character necessary for the dreams He’s placed within us. In Potiphar’s house, Joseph learned discipline and the importance of saying “no” to temptation, understanding that short-term pleasure can sabotage long-term purpose. Even when doing the right thing led to more suffering, Joseph’s unwavering trust in God became the foundation for his eventual promotion.
Many of us find ourselves in prisons of limitation—relational, financial, or emotional—wondering how to escape. The temptation is to compare our hand to others, but God can only use what is uniquely ours. Complaining about our circumstances blinds us to the favor God wants to give us. Favor isn’t fair, but it is God’s to give, and He often uses our struggles to prepare us for greater responsibility.
Joseph’s journey teaches us three essential moves: put God first, pursue problems to solve, and perfect our gifts and character while we wait. Promotion comes not from self-promotion, but from faithfully serving and solving problems for others, even when it seems no one notices. God’s timing is perfect; He will release us into our dream position when our character and gifting are ready. The prison is not just a place of waiting, but a place of vision, where distractions are stripped away and we discover what God has truly gifted us to do. When we trust God with our imperfect hand, He can reverse our story and bring us into a place of influence and blessing that we could never achieve on our own.
Key Takeaways
- Trusting God with Your Hand
No matter how undesirable your circumstances may seem, God can use the very hand you’ve been dealt to bring about victory. Comparing your life to others only leads to frustration and stagnation; God’s plan is to win with your unique story, not someone else’s. Embrace your background, your struggles, and your gifts, knowing that God’s favor is not about fairness but about His purpose for you. [14:28]
- The Pit as Protection and Preparation
Seasons of obscurity or hardship are often God’s way of protecting the dreams He’s placed in you. The pit is not punishment, but a place where grit and resilience are forged, so that when the time comes, you have the strength to carry the weight of your calling. Don’t despise the low places; they are where God hides you to develop what He’s put inside you. [04:08]
- Discipline in the Place of Temptation
When you’re in a season of loss or disappointment, the temptation to seek comfort in unhealthy ways is strong. Learning to say “no” to short-term pleasure is essential for long-term promotion. Sometimes, losing something in the moment—like Joseph’s robe—preserves your integrity and positions you for greater favor down the road. [07:49]
- Promotion Comes Through Solving Problems for Others
God ties your promotion to your willingness to see and solve the problems of others, not just your own. Joseph’s elevation came because he noticed the pain of those around him and offered his gifts to serve them, even in his own place of limitation. Your breakthrough is often hidden in your response to someone else’s need; don’t overlook the problems God has placed in your path. [25:21]
- Perfecting Your Gift in the Prison Season
The waiting room of life is not wasted time; it’s where your vision and skills are perfected. God will not release you into your dream position until your character and gifting are ready for the weight of that responsibility. Keep working, keep refining, and keep trusting—your “prison” is the training ground for your promotion, and God’s timing is always perfect. [29:54]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Uno Reverse: Trust God First
[03:11] - Embracing the Hand You’re Dealt
[04:08] - Joseph’s Pit: Protection, Not Punishment
[07:49] - Discipline in Potiphar’s House
[09:30] - God’s Presence in the Prison
[11:19] - The Many Prisons of Life
[12:44] - The Trap of Comparison
[14:28] - Loving Your Unique Hand
[16:11] - Favor Isn’t Fair
[18:17] - Trusting God’s Hand Over Your Own
[19:55] - Joseph’s Three Moves
[20:28] - Putting God First in Every Situation
[23:23] - The Heart Behind Promotion
[25:21] - Pursuing Problems to Solve
[28:21] - The Link Between Problems and Promotion
[29:54] - Perfecting Your Gift in the Waiting
[35:42] - Trusting God in the Wilderness
[36:52] - Responding to God’s Call
[38:18] - Vision Developed in the Prison
[42:19] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Uno Reverse – Trust God First
---
### Bible Reading
Genesis 39:19-23 (NIV)
> 19 When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, “This is how your slave treated me,” he burned with anger.
> 20 Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison,
> 21 the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.
> 22 So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there.
> 23 The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.
Genesis 40:6-8, 41:16 (NIV)
> 6 When Joseph came to them the next morning, he saw that they were dejected.
> 7 So he asked Pharaoh’s officials who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why do you look so sad today?”
> 8 “We both had dreams,” they answered, “but there is no one to interpret them.”
> Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.”
> ...
> 16 “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”
Jeremiah 12:5 (NIV)
> “If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?”
---
### Observation Questions
1. In Genesis 39:21, what does the text say about God’s presence with Joseph while he was in prison? How did this affect Joseph’s situation?
[[09:30]]
2. According to Genesis 40:6-8, what was Joseph’s response when the cupbearer and baker shared their dreams? Who did Joseph give credit to for interpreting dreams?
[[20:28]]
3. In Jeremiah 12:5, what is God’s response to Jeremiah’s complaints about unfairness? What does this reveal about God’s expectations for us in difficult situations?
[[16:11]]
4. The sermon mentions that Joseph faced multiple “prisons” or places of limitation. What are some examples of these “prisons” in Joseph’s life and in our lives today?
[[11:19]]
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. The text says “the LORD was with Joseph” even in prison. What does it mean for God to be “with” someone during a season of suffering or limitation? How might this change the way we view our own “pit” or “prison” seasons?
[[09:30]]
2. Joseph consistently put God first, even when it cost him comfort or advancement. Why is it significant that Joseph gave God the credit for interpreting dreams, both in prison and before Pharaoh? What does this reveal about his character and priorities?
[[20:28]]
3. The sermon says, “The pit is not punishment, but protection.” How can a difficult or hidden season actually be God’s way of preparing us for something greater?
[[04:08]]
4. The message challenges us to stop comparing our “hand” to others and instead embrace our unique story. Why is comparison so tempting, and how does it keep us from seeing God’s favor in our own lives?
[[12:44]]
---
### Application Questions
1. The sermon says, “If you trust God first, he can reverse your losses into wins.” Think about a current area of your life that feels like a loss or setback. What would it look like to trust God first in that area this week?
[[03:11]]
2. Joseph learned to say “no” to temptation in Potiphar’s house, even when it cost him. Is there a temptation or shortcut in your life right now that you need to say “no” to, in order to protect your integrity and future? What practical step can you take to resist it?
[[07:49]]
3. The sermon talks about “prisons” of limitation—relational, financial, emotional, etc. Where do you feel most limited right now? How can you shift your focus from complaining about your circumstances to looking for God’s favor and purpose in them?
[[11:19]]
4. Joseph’s promotion came through noticing and solving the problems of others, not just his own. Who around you has a need or problem that you could help with this week? How might serving them open new doors for you?
[[25:21]]
5. The message says, “Stop comparing your hand to others. God can win with your hand, but not with someone else’s.” What is one area where you tend to compare yourself to others? How can you practice gratitude for your own story and gifts this week?
[[14:28]]
6. The “waiting room” or “prison” season is described as a place to perfect your gifts and character. What is one skill, habit, or area of character you sense God wants you to work on right now, even if no one else sees it? What’s a small step you can take this week?
[[29:54]]
7. The sermon says, “Favor isn’t fair, but it is God’s to give.” Have you ever struggled with feeling like life is unfair? How does knowing that God’s favor is about His purpose, not fairness, change your perspective?
[[16:11]]
---
Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray, thanking God for the “hand” He’s given each person, asking for strength to trust Him first, and for eyes to see the opportunities in their current season.
Devotional
Day 1: Trust God First, No Matter Your Circumstances
No matter what hand you’ve been dealt in life—your background, your struggles, your family, your job, or even your mistakes—God can use it all for your good if you choose to trust Him first. Even when your situation looks hopeless or unfair, God is able to reverse your losses into wins. The key is not to wish for a different hand, but to pick up the cards you’ve been given and trust that God can bring victory out of what looks like defeat. When you put God first, He can turn your personal prison into your dream position. [03:11]
Genesis 39:20-23 (ESV)
And Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph's charge, because the LORD was with him. And whatever he did, the LORD made it succeed.
Reflection: What is one area of your life that feels like a loss or a setback right now? How can you intentionally put God first in that area today, trusting Him to work through your circumstances?
Day 2: God’s Presence and Favor Are With You, Even in the “Prison”
It’s easy to feel abandoned or forgotten when you’re stuck in a season of waiting, limitation, or hardship. But just as God was with Joseph in the prison, showing him favor and giving him success even in confinement, God is with you in your hardest places. His presence does not leave you when you’re in a “prison” of disappointment, comparison, or delay. Instead, He is working in you and for you, preparing you for what’s next. You are not alone—God’s favor is on you, and He is with you right where you are. [09:30]
Genesis 39:21 (ESV)
But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
Reflection: Where do you feel most stuck or limited right now? Take a moment to put your name in Genesis 39:21 and declare that the Lord is with you in that very place. How does this change your perspective?
Day 3: Pursue Problems to Solve—Your Promotion Is in the Problems
Joseph’s story shows that your promotion is often tied to your willingness to notice and solve the problems of others. Instead of seeing problems as annoyances or someone else’s responsibility, recognize that God may have gifted you to be the solution. When Joseph noticed the sadness of the cupbearer and baker, he didn’t ignore their pain—he engaged with it, and God used that moment to set him up for his next level. Your breakthrough may be waiting on the other side of you seeing and serving someone else’s need. [25:21]
Genesis 40:6-8 (ESV)
When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they were troubled. So he asked Pharaoh's officers who were with him in custody in his master's house, "Why are your faces downcast today?" They said to him, "We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them." And Joseph said to them, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me."
Reflection: Who around you is facing a problem or pain that you’ve been ignoring? What is one practical way you can step in to help or encourage them today?
Day 4: Perfect Your Picture and Performance—Prepare in the Prison
While you wait for your breakthrough, don’t waste your time complaining or comparing. Instead, use this season to perfect your vision and your skills. Joseph kept working on his gifts and his character even when no one was watching, so that when the opportunity came, he was ready. Your “prison” is the place where God develops your vision, your discipline, and your excellence. Keep working on your dream, even if it feels like you’re failing or no one notices—God is preparing you for the moment when your name will be called. [29:54]
Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV)
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Reflection: What is one area of your calling, skill, or character that you can intentionally work on today, even if no one else sees it? How can you “do it again” with excellence and faith?
Day 5: Embrace Your Unique Hand—Stop Comparing and Start Trusting
Comparison is a prison that keeps you from seeing the value in your own story, gifts, and journey. God can win with your hand, but not with someone else’s. Until you learn to love and play the hand you’ve been given, you’ll stay locked up in frustration and envy. Trust that God has a purpose for your unique combination of strengths, weaknesses, and experiences. When you stop wishing for someone else’s life and start trusting God with your own, you open the door for Him to turn your losses into wins. [14:28]
Galatians 6:4-5 (ESV)
But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.
Reflection: In what ways have you been comparing your life, gifts, or progress to others? What is one step you can take today to appreciate and trust God with your own hand?
Quotes
And don't think I ain't see you ain't pick up the little bad kids. Get them too. They part of your hand. You got, you got to get through all, where you came from, where you work, your background, what you been through, your parents, everything about you is part of the hand that God wants to use to help you win. Say amen. [00:03:33] (22 seconds)
She ripped his clothes off. He kept telling her no. See, when you've been in a rough place, you're tempted to please yourself to satisfy what you lost. God said this ain't the Potiphar's place, ain't the time for pleasure, it's the time for pruning. Do you hear what I said? If you don't develop the ability to keep telling yourself no, no, no, no, no, your yes on this level will cause you to lose your promotion on that level. You got to, oh, Potiphar's place is where you learn discipline. And although I done been in the pit, this ain't the time to please me. This is the time to say no to me. You better be careful because, man, if you don't know how to say no to the hostess' cupcakes or the hostess' cupcakes, you might find yourself in a predicament. [00:07:00] (46 seconds)
Was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faith. I need you to put your name in this verse. The Lord is with you, Pastor Stephan. The Lord is with you, Tommy. The Lord is with you, Pastor Alicia. Put your name in this story, because just because you in it doesn't mean that God ain't with you. You need to understand, it keeps going. It says, and the Lord, the who? [00:09:30] (24 seconds)
And if you don't start learning how to appreciate your hand, God says, I can win with your hand, but I can't win with her hand. And as long as you keep confusing your hand for her hand, wishing that you had his hand or their hand, God says the reason you're still locked up is because you're trying to win with somebody else's hand. Just because they're in real estate don't mean you need to be in real estate. Just because they working, the internet got them a little YouTube channel and content don't mean you need. I need you to love your hand, your little ADHD, your little diction. Y 'all, I need you to love what I put in your, I can win with your hand, but I can't win with their hand. Until you learn how to play with your hand, you're going to be locked up. [00:14:28] (43 seconds)
And I don't want fair. I want favor. Matter of fact, I got a word before I even get into what the meat of this is about from Jeremiah. For those of us who spent a lot of time complaining about our hand, you don't see what God trying to position you for. In Jeremiah chapter 12, verse 5, Jeremiah was complaining because it wasn't fair. He was saying the wicked prosper. So he complained to God. God is speaking. This is how your dad, this is how he talk. Yeah, we got a man God like that. Look what he said, Jeremiah 12, 5. He says, if racing against men makes you tired, how will you race against horses? [00:16:35] (35 seconds)
If God releases you, you don't know how he's trying to position you. Just be careful that you don't get so frustrated about your hand that you forget to trust God's hand. If you don't remember nothing else, if you can trust God's hand, he can take your personal prison and turn it into your dream position. I'll say it one more time for those who may not have missed it. Okay, listen, if you can trust God's hand, he can turn your personal prison into your what? [00:18:48] (30 seconds)
Before you pull out the laptop, before you give your little presentation, before you think about where you went to school and how much you know, you got to put God first. It cannot be an afterthought. It has to be a forethought. Even if I don't verbalize it, I want you to understand something, that if I help you, I got to get somebody to add some super to my natural, or I will offer you something that falls short of what gives God glory. And the reason why I can't let you out of prison, Pastor Stephan, is because you won't prioritize me above yourself. Why should I give you a larger platform, more influence, a greater office to promote yourself? I put you in prison so that you can understand that I ain't elevating you until you elevate me. It ain't even about what you say, it's about what's in your heart. What's the first thing that comes to your mind when you pull out the clippers and start fading? What's the first thing that comes to your mind when you open your mouth to give the business presentation? God says, if the first place you turn ain't me, then it's all you. I got to keep you locked up. They didn't pass you over because you weren't qualified. They passed you over because you didn't elevate me. [00:22:14] (66 seconds)
It is possible to see something hurting somebody and think it's their problem. I got a question, Antoine. How do we see problems? We see problems as their problem. The cup bearer and the baker had a problem, and Joe didn't just hear their problem. He heard them. He saw them. I see you. I see what's hurting you. Watch this. You see it as their problem, and God says, until you see it as your problem, you don't have a paycheck. Ah, your paycheck is tied to problems. As a matter of fact, your promotion is directly tied to your capacity to deal with problems. [00:25:35] (44 seconds)
You done helped everybody else out with their kids, your kids off the hook. You done helped everybody out with their marriage, your marriage still struggling. And so you feel like, man, God, I done gave my best to everybody else, and my stuff is still a hot mess. Can I tell you all a secret? Sometimes God will delay the promotion until the time is perfect. It ain't about how they doing. You at the wedding reception cheering them on, you still waiting on your husband. God said, don't worry about them. I got you, but it got to be perfect. Do you know when he got promoted? When there was a problem that was perfect for his gifting, which is why that third move, while you're in prison, stop complaining. You got to work on your picture and your performance. Perfect your picture and your performance. What am I doing while I'm waiting? Stop complaining and stop preparing because it's coming. And when it's coming, when it comes, if you ain't ready, you're going to miss it. Use the prison to perfect your picture and your performance. [00:29:05] (49 seconds)
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