At the age of 17, Joseph (his father’s favorite) had 11 brothers and one sister.  The resentful brothers would have killed him unless Judah suggested they sell him to Ishmaelites. “Why not make a few dollars and still get rid of the brat!” At such a young age, he was ripped from father’s house and all that he knew and sold into slavery. Most people would have been crippled with emotional problems like PTSD for the rest of their lives, but not Joseph for he continued to focus upon God and trust in Him. With the help of God, he was very successful in the house of his master and eventually gained the topmost responsibility in the household until the master’s wife tried to seduce him. Joseph resisted because of his faith in God, she lied, and he ended up in jail.

Once again, he was unjustly thrust into an extremely difficult circumstance in which he endured patiently for at least three years. Again his focus and trust stayed upon God who worked with him providing the best in a bad situation.  Eventually, Joseph was released from prison and miraculously exalted to the second most prominent position in Egypt as Pharaoh’s right hand man.

In time, Joseph had children. This godly man’s mindset was illustrated in the selection of his son’s name. “He named the second Ephraim, “For,” he said, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.” Genesis 41:52. Joseph learned through his experience to wait on his God who provided even in trying or undesirable circumstances.

As the years rolled by, again Joseph comes in contact with his brothers. Note what he says to them at this reunion:

Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life… God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance.

Now, therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Genesis 45:4-8

In times of adversity, like Joseph, seek patience and trust allowing God to provide.

Wait for the LORD [Yahweh]; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD [Yahweh]. Psalm 27:14