Perspective Matters

By Jared Green     If ever there were anyone who could have had a pessimistic, glass-half-empty view on life, it was Joseph. He was sold by his brothers to Ishmaelite travelers who then sold him as a slave to Potiphar. Though Joseph was a faithful slave, Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him, and Potiphar put Joseph in prison. While in prison, Joseph helped Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer and baker, but when the cupbearer was set free from prison and restored to his position, he forgot Joseph and did not help him get out of prison. Finally, by the grace of God, Joseph was able to rise to power in Egypt, becoming Pharaoh’s second in command.     As the story continues, there was a major famine in the land and Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to find food for them to survive. Little did the brothers know, they would be requesting food from the brother they had sold into slavery years before. While Joseph had finally experienced great success, he found himself at a crossroads when his brothers came to him. He could help his brothers, or he could finally get revenge on them for turning his life upside down. Rather than revenge, however, Joseph chose reconciliation. Joseph helped his family, and he was able to finally see his father again.     After Jacob’s death, Joseph’s brothers worried that he would finally seek revenge. In response to their worries, Joseph made an amazing statement: “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today” (Genesis 50:19-20).     What an amazing perspective on a difficult life! Joseph realized two important facts about God. First, God is the judge, not Joseph. Second, God uses our circumstances to bring about ultimate good. How would our lives change if we employed Joseph’s perspective in our own lives? Each of our lives bring their own di9iculties, and at times, it is easy to feel downtrodden by those di9iculties. However, in a passage focused on hope amidst suffering, we are given a beautiful promise: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Do you believe that promise? No matter what life throws at you, God will work through your circumstances to bring about his good. Let us all rest in that hope. God loves you, and so do I.

- Jared Green preaches the Calvert City Church of Christ in Calvert City, KY.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.calvertchurchofchrist.com