Irregular Joe

Joseph had been taken down to Egypt… (Genesis 39:1). Joseph’s story challenges claims that God wants us to live carefree lives or that God remains distant. We see God causing others to favor Joseph but not protecting him against a lie that put him in prison. All we know for sure, is that God’s faithful love never left Joseph and Joseph succeeded wherever he went because of God’s intervention.

Joseph was not exactly innocent. He definitely lacked emotional intelligence. He did not recognize his brothers’ envy or try to endear himself to them by pitching in with the work. Behavior like Joseph’s is often perceived as that of an entitled brat, which is something God does not tolerate.

Given what we know about God’s character and what we know about people whose character must be hammered out like iron in a furnace, it seems that God used Joseph’s trial to turn him into someone useful. God prospered Joseph through the terrors of slavery, false accusation, and imprisonment. As silly as Joseph was, we never see him complain. Moreover, when Joseph emerged from the trial, he was far more receptive to the needs of others and therefore, more useful to God.

God prospered Joseph, but not in his position as a favored son. God prospered him as a slave. Likewise, God protected him. Potiphar could have killed Joseph. Given the accusation against him, it’s surprising that death was not on the menu. Prison could have killed Joseph too. I doubt ancient Egyptian dungeons were like day spas. Joseph’s life was in constant peril, and he knew God kept him alive. God’s protection humbled him.

Here you are, thousands of years later, reading about how God worked in Joseph’s life. You’re probably not a slaver, falsely accused and imprisoned, or flirting with death. But whatever you’re trying to overcome–your present enemy–may well be causing you to question God’s love.

Please consider that God may be using your trial to perfect your character. I know that can come across as salt on a wound, but let’s think it through and ask God for insight. Perhaps your enemy is a co-worker, a lying accuser, or an unfair bias over which you have no control. Is it possible that your trial is the fire God uses to turn you into His champion? I don’t know either, but I do know that God will vindicate you if you trust Him and (hard concept warning) wait. Perhaps your enemy is internal like depression, anxiety, cancer, heart disease, or another malady. Watch for His kisses, blown from heaven to you: favor with employers, favor with health, favor with family, favor in finances, but most importantly: favor with God. He will show Himself in your trial. Stand in faith, knowing God is good and makes no mistakes. You’ll come through the trial as a sharp sword ready to do whatever God has in mind.

—except from Hunger, available on Amazon