Hope in a Hard PlaceSýnishorn

When You’re Blindsided

Do you ever feel as if a lot of troubles are stacking up against you? If so, then you’ll be able to relate to what happened next in Joseph’s story. Even though he was thriving in a hard place, his troubles were far from over. 

Joseph was a handsome fellow. Genesis 39:7 says, “His master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, ‘Lie with me.’” Joseph did what was right; day after day he fended off the advances of his master’s wife. Of course, this made her mad. So she lied about him, saying he attacked her, and just that quickly Joseph found himself thrown into prison. (Gen. 39:8–20).

Joseph did the right and honorable thing, but he wound up in prison! In those days, when a slave was incarcerated, there was no phone call to a lawyer. There was no trial. There were no character witnesses or an opportunity to present a defense. Joseph was in prison for life.

I can’t even imagine how he must have felt. Talk about a hard place! Again, Joseph could have easily melted into a heap and felt sorry for himself. He could have gotten bitter. Or given up.

Maybe you’ve been in a similar situation, where you were doing the right thing, obeying God, making the best of bad circumstances, and still you were blindsided. When that happens, it’s easy to get bitter or give up.

But look at how Joseph responded. Genesis 39:21-22 says, “But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing.” 

Joseph came out on top again. Despite a horrible situation and a desperately hard place, he rose up, used his gifts, and got promoted. He kept the dreams God had given him alive in his heart. If he could do that then, you can do it too!