DEALING WITH DIFFICULTY
By Gary McDade
All too often people are defeated in their mind before elements of loss are even detectible. Some sports, like golf, are very much a mental game—that is for those who have mastered the skills necessary to be good at the game. In golf as in life, if you think you are beaten; you are beaten. The man who wrote, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13) also noted, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). So, Paul’s positive attitude was a product of experience and his choice to faithfully serve God despite difficulties.
Joseph was a man, who if he had character flaws the Lord chose not to reveal them to the readers of the Bible, known for difficulties he encountered in life as much as he is known for being favored by his father and favored by the pharaoh under whom he served to the saving of his family. The recounting of Joseph’s life provides inspiration to face life’s difficulties with courage.
- Joseph received from his father a coat of many colors, yet his brothers became jealous and hated him because of his good fortune (Genesis 37:3-4).
- Joseph told his brothers of a dream he received from God depicting him in a respected position in the future, yet they hated him more (Genesis 37:5ff.).
- Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt for 20 pieces of silver by his brethren (Genesis 37:18ff.).
- Joseph was made by God to prosper in his master’s house in Egypt (Genesis 39:1-6).
- Joseph was misrepresented by his master’s wife and placed into prison (Genesis 39:7-20).
- Joseph received favor from God in prison and again was made to prosper (Genesis 39:21-23).
- Joseph interpreted the dreams of the baker and butler and later the pharaoh and was elevated in Egypt (Genesis 40-41).
- Joseph saved his family from famine in Egypt and acknowledged “it was not you that sent me hither, but God” in order to preserve their lives (Genesis 42-50).