How do we thrive in tough times? The patriarch Joseph was familiar with suffering and injustice. He also knew how to prosper in terrible circumstances. Like Frank Lebby Stanton’s poem, he knew how to “Keep A-Goin’!”
Genesis 39 tells what happened to Joseph after his brothers sold him into slavery. Following Joseph’s example will make us successful too.
1. Invest your energy in the present.
Joseph could have wallowed in self-pity and bitterness over the cruelty his older brothers had shown him. He could have whined the “if only’s.” But he didn’t. Instead of wasting energy complaining about the unfairness of life, Joseph invested in being the best slave he could be. As a result, Joseph and his owner, Potiphar, prospered.
Do you want to succeed in tough times? Invest your energy in the present. Don’t waste it in regret and resentment. Don’t wait for better times to start moving. Let go of the loss that became an excuse for apathy or lack of hope. “Keep a-goin’!”
2. Keep company with God.
Joseph was God-conscious. He didn’t pull away from God when major wrong stomped all over him. Pr. 16:7 says, “When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”
God gave Joseph favor with his bosses and blessed everything he touched. Keeping company with God gave Joseph strength to resist the “day in and day out” pleas of Potiphar’s wife to sleep with her. God gave him the strength to start over after her lies put him in irons and filth.
Joseph became the best prisoner and “the Lord was with Him and showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.” God helped Joseph “keep a-goin’!”
What helps you keep company with God when you’ve been wronged?
3. Embrace God’s definition of success.
Would you hire someone with Joseph’s resume? God declared Joseph a success. The world’s standards don’t accurately measure real success.
Conventional wisdom says to become a success…
1. Select the right major
2. Attend the right school
3. Build an impressive resume
4. Establish good connections
5. Set measurable goals
But what if like Joseph you’ve been denied that route? Joseph’s…
1. Training—slave and prisoner
2. Degree—instead of an MBA, an MPI—Master of Perseverance and Integrity
3. Resume—faithfulness in unfair circumstances
4. Connection—God
5. His main goal—return home—never happened. But his intangible goal to please God—he mastered that one.
Joseph was a success without any pay, title, or recognition.
When we suffer, we tend to wonder what we did to deserve it. Joseph didn’t suffer because he’d disappointed God. God was preparing Joseph to rule the land and save His people. Kindergarten training won’t make a Navy Seal or legendary leader.
God has an individual education plan for each of us too. “For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines…All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness,” (Heb. 12:6, 11 NASB). He is preparing us to reign with Him one day. We can prosper through our training if we follow Joseph’s example.
Don’t allow the world’s definition of success to rob you of true prosperity. “Keep a-goin’!”
Click here to comment.
Blessings,
Deborah W. Wilson
Debbie,
Amen to “Don’t allow the world’s definition of success to rob you of true prosperity. ” The so-called successful people didn’t think much of Jesus or His disciples, but….you know the rest of the story.
Have a Victorious Day!
Marianne
So great to hear from you, Marianne. What a good reminder. Jesus was considered a fool and a failure by the elites of His day. God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom.
I love this Debbie – that point, about not settling for the world’s definition of success is so critical! And the best “connection” we could ever have and the best person we could ever keep company with is the One who can do above and beyond all we could ever ask or think.
Debbie, I love your perspective. It is genuine and timely. I am always so encouraged to hear you speak or to read your blogs. After hearing your perspective on Gen 39 (Joseph imprisoned) I started to examine my own life. I had to ask myself, in times of my own imprisonments (trials), am I investing in my present? hmmm… I must say, I did not like my answer. This is definitely a lesson I can learn from Joseph. I need that “can do”, “servant” attitude to invest in my present and blossom where I am planted. I lay awake last night thinking about Joseph and how it relates to some situations in my life right now. My conclusion, I found that I have been mumbling, complaining and not keeping communion with God. As I lay there, I started praying and asked God to forgive me for not going to him first. Then I started praying over these things and although these situations haven’t changed, by keeping in communication with God, my perspective has changed. I feel as if a load has been lifted. Lastly, seeing the “wrong” Joseph went through, and knowing the outcome of his life, I can take hope, that I am in training for something greater than my situation. That God is building in me – character, perseverance, integrity. That through this “training” I will be perfected and Gods perfect will and plan for my life will not only affect my life, but those around me. And like in Josephs case, maybe even the world! Thank you again for sharing. God bless you indeed.
Leslie, Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I love the story and example of Joseph. It gives me great hope that God never wastes our pain. And I know He is using your story for His glory. Bless you.