Keys to Resilience - a Journey With JosephExemplo

As we saw at the end of yesterday’s passage, Joseph is overcome with emotion. So much so that his loud weeping becomes a point of gossip and conversation (for a refresher, see Genesis 45:2). In many ways, Joseph’s story comes to a head within today's passage.

Here’s a recap thus far: Joseph was sold into slavery by his own family (but to be fair, they were going to kill him, and so I guess that’s a better alternative??). He was falsely accused, and then imprisoned for several years. And yet the LORD had used him in mighty ways! The LORD had given Joseph gifts, and used them to save a generation of people from starvation. Plus, Joseph was put in great positions of power and authority. He was second in command, only to Pharaoh himself. Time and time again we see that because the LORD was with him, he had the ability to overcome some truly terrible circumstances, displaying great resilience through his fleeing of temptation, his practice of patience, his humility, and his emotionally mature response to incredibly charged and difficult circumstances. Everything thus far has led up to today’s chapter, where Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers.

Joseph’s emotional maturity is on full display in Chapter 45. He reveals his true identity and his brothers stand there terrified. And for good reason! We shouldn’t overlook the fact that these were the very people, the very family, that sold Joseph in the first place! How would you feel? Wouldn’t a part of you (however big or small) seek revenge? Justice? Vengeance? They had a reason to be terrified! And yet, we see no hint of this in Joseph. Instead, we see a big God picture (perspective!) and we see a big God key (forgiveness!). We can learn a lot from Joseph here: having a God perspective of our lives changes everything, and leading with forgiveness opens us up not only to become truly resilient people, but those who are in tune with the very heart of God.

Within this passage, Joseph lays out his perspective. It was because they had sold him into slavery that he had the opportunity to save their lives. It was God’s plan all along. Joseph was able to rest in this perspective, letting go of any resentment. How? Because He trusted the Lord. No matter his circumstances, he believed the Lord was in charge and had better and bigger things in mind. It was from this place that he was able to forgive his brothers, and from his forgiveness, move on and into a relationship with them.

Forgiveness is a big topic within the Bible, and it has a lot to say! Check out the passages in today’s reading, and while doing so ask yourself the questions:

What are the results of forgiveness? What are the results of unforgiveness? Why should I be a person who forgives? What does this look like in my life?

We forgive because the Lord has first forgiven us. It is another part of the Lord’s prayer that we looked at on Day 2:

“Forgive us our sins,

For we also forgive everyone who sins against us.”

Forgiveness frees our hearts from bitterness and allows us to move forward as resilient people. We see this play itself out in the example of Joseph. He displayed and grew in resilience through fleeing temptation, practicing patience, walking in humility, expressing emotional maturity, and forgiving those who hurt him. Let us endeavour to be people who do the same.