Don't Give UpExemplo

Day 5—Joseph and His Dreams

Joseph was a teenager with a dream. A dream that compounded the hatred his brothers already had for him as the favorite son. It was a dream that one day his family would bow before him.

That dream could have fallen to pieces in what came next for Joseph. After years of frustration, his brothers made a cruel move and sold him into slavery. His own brothers were subjecting him to a life of servitude and hardship. In chains as the property of another, Joseph’s dream could have been lost in the past.

But Joseph didn’t throw up his hands and give up in his slavery. Instead, Joseph did his creative best with what God had given him. In the house of Potiphar, he worked hard and leaned on God. As he did, God blessed him and, as a result, Potiphar’s house. It was here he rose to oversee the man’s household and was entrusted with everything. He learned leadership, humility, and servanthood in this obscurity, still holding on to a dream.

When Joseph remained a righteous man when approached by Potiphar's wife, she accused him of trying to take advantage of her and Joseph was thrown into prison. What seemed like a step backward was really a step forward.

In prison, Joseph found favor and was appointed by the warden to oversee the prisoners—again, promoted to leadership. And it was here in prison he encountered the chief cupbearer to the king. Joseph had the opportunity to interpret his dream, which would prove valuable two years later when the king had a dream that needed interpreting.

When Joseph interpreted the king’s dream of a coming famine, he was promoted to second in command over all of Egypt. His dream had come true! 

Joseph was presented with many difficult situations that most would have given up on. But he kept persevering and doing his best with what he had. As a result, he saw his dream come true and helped save thousands, including his own family.