“When Joseph saw them the next morning, he noticed that they both looked upset. ‘Why do you look so worried today?’ he asked them.” (Genesis 40:6–7, NLT)

Joseph had every reason to have a pity party. He had been sold as a slave by his brothers, separated from his family, falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife, and thrown into Pharoah’s dungeon. But he had done nothing wrong! Nevertheless, wherever Joseph went the LORD blessed him and gave him favor with others. God was working behind the scenes to prepare Joseph for the position He had in mind.

When things go wrong, and we feel that we have been mistreated, it is easy to feel sorry for ourselves. In fact, we can become so self-absorbed that we cannot see past the end of our nose! We are unaware of how our attitude, words, and actions affect others. Our disposition is like a dark cloud eclipsing every ray of sunshine from those around us. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Despite Joseph’s dismal circumstances and depressed feelings, he noticed others around him. The prison warden put Joseph in charge of the other prisoners, and Joseph took his job seriously. Like a good shepherd, he did not lord over them, but he cared for them. In the morning, Joseph noticed that Pharaoh’s cupbearer (butler) and baker looked upset, so he asked them about it. They told him that they each had a dream which they couldn’t understand, so Joseph offered to interpret the dreams for them. He knew that this gift came from God.

What if Joseph had remained so self-absorbed that he never noticed these two sad faces? What if he had kept his gift to himself rather than being concerned for others? Then Joseph may have grown old and died in that dungeon. It was because he cared for others and used his gift, that Joseph was ultimately lifted out of the prison and entered Pharaoh’s court.

God has allowed the circumstances in your life for a purpose. You can murmur and complain about them, or you can realize that God is engineering your situation for a purpose. You can ask God to show you what His purpose is. Then you can care for others despite how you feel.

Joseph was tested by the word of the LORD. The dreams he had received back home were God’s promise of things to come. Could Joseph hold on to God’s promises not knowing the outcome?

Where is your faith being challenged today? What lessons can you learn from Joseph’s trials?