From Hero to Zero and Back Again
If anyone had a rough childhood that they could blame the rest of their warped life on, it would be Joseph. Though he didn’t turn out warped, and we’ll see why.
He was one of 12 sons and the white sheep of the family. His brothers often rolled their eyes at him, like when their dad made Joseph a coat of many colors, proving he was “special.” (Can’t you just see it?) Then there were the heavenly dreams Joseph shared with his brothers that someday they would bow down to him. Recounting those dreams didn’t go over so well. By then, his brothers hated him. It says so three times in Genesis 37. Maybe you can relate to that. Do you have family members (or coworkers) who just can’t stand you? Your situation probably isn’t as bad as Joseph’s, though. His brother gang decided to murder him, and would have, had not one of the brothers decided that wasn’t such a good idea. Rather, he thought they should throw him in a deep pit, where he’d never escape. Whew. But not so fast. Another brother had a “brilliant” idea. They could make some money off him by selling him as a slave to some passing Ishmaelites. Who could even think such a wicked, selfish thing?
Ah, but there were some others who thought the same thing. A group of passing Midianite traders saw Joseph in the pit. Buying and selling was their business, so when they found Joseph in the pit, they saw dollar signs, and they sold him to the Ishmaelites while the band of brothers weren’t looking. Bummer for the brothers when they found Joseph missing. Now what would they tell their father, who loved Joseph more than them? They were expert schemers. They killed a goat, dipped Joseph’s coat in its blood and planned to tell papa that a wild beast killed him.
Would you not agree that this situation was pretty bad for Joseph? It was a perfect excuse for despair. He ended up being sold to the captain of Pharoah’s bodyguard—a high official.
How do you triumph in a tragedy like this? You stay close to the Lord and keep living for Him. You stay on the path as your circumstances unfold. You apply Prov. 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
That’s what Joseph did. Here’s what happened: And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. (Genesis 39:2-4) Joseph eventually became a leader in Egypt.
The key is to walk with the Lord. Read and ponder His word every day. Apply what you know. Don’t give in to self pity, even if you know you have a good reason to feel sorry for yourself. The fact is, God is in control, even when you don’t understand. You abandon yourself to Him, and you say, “Lord, unless you do something, I’ll fail and fall miserably. I’m going to watch you today, and I’m going to take my hands off my own life. Please catch me, because I’m jumping into your arms.” Now the problem is God’s problem, not yours.