The "him" in this verse is Joseph. Because of jealously his brothers sold him into slavery. He prospered as a slave -- became head of Potipher's house. Then because he was so good, Potipher's wife was attracted to him. She wanted him but he refused her so she accused him and he was sent to prison. And in prison his behavior and character were so good that the jailer let him be in charge of the jail. But he was still in jail. And then even though he asked to be remembered he was forgotten for two years.
Joseph could have thought, wow, all my good behavior just gets me into trouble. It sure didn't look like he was reaping a good harvest from his good actions. BUT, God says what we sow we shall reap.
It wasn't time for Joseph's personal harvest, "his word" that would come to "pass."
So, until it was time for him to see this word come to pass in his life, God continued to refine him with life situations, teaching him, showing him, helping him grow. So, when the time came for his personal life harvest Joseph was ready.
What about you?
Do you continue to struggle in an area of your life even though you are following God's principles and learning from it?
What if that is not a sign of something wrong but something right?
Maybe that is the area that God wants to use big time in your life with other people?
What if instead of looking at it as a trial you look at it as a time of training for what is coming in your life?
God uses everything. God can take that struggle away right now if He wanted to, but if He doesn't there is a good reason for it. Maybe that reason is for your good in a really great way you can't imagine. Sometimes we say "oh, it is for your own good" but know that it really isn't that great. It is like a awful parent who whips her child and says, "this is for your own good."
Sometimes we might see God like that and HE ISN'T LIKE THAT! God is our loving Father, more loving than we can comprehend.