Keys to Resilience - a Journey With JosephSample

Sold into slavery, falsely imprisoned, forgotten about with no end in sight (for two years!), and then Pharaoh (the Pharaoh) has a dream.

In today’s passage, Genesis 41, we read the details of Pharaoh’s two dreams. Nobody in all the land could interpret them. This mystery jogs the memory of the cupbearer (about time!) and all of a sudden Joseph is freed from his cell and finds himself in front of Egypt's King.

In verse 15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it” and in response, in verse 16, Joseph says “I cannot do it.. but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”

If Joseph was ever to boast of his skills, fudge the truth, or claim his gifts as his own, now would be the time to do it! He stands before a man who has the power to end his life! Or save it! Or free him from prison! Or chop off his head! And yet, Joseph gives God the credit He is due, and stands firm within today’s key to building a life of resilience: humility.

Humility is the absence of pride or arrogance. It’s having a modest view of your own self importance. It is, as C.S. Lewis so eloquently put it:

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less.”

Because of his humble response, and in an incredible twist of circumstances, Joseph goes from being in prison to being second-in-command over the entire land of Egypt. In one swift move he traded his chains for chariots, and went from rags to robes. He victoriously walked the fine line between being confident in the power of God, but humble in his own self.

Similarly, our circumstances in this life can change so quickly, and Joseph teaches us so many valuable lessons here: give God the glory, for it is His. Stand in humility, as well as in His power.

Once again, we often do not choose our circumstances, but we always have the choice of our response and we become resilient people when we flee from temptation, practice patience, and walk in humility with God.

As you read today’s passages, ask yourself the following key questions: How do I see the theme of resilience play out? What does humility look like in this passage? What are the gifts that God has given me? How can I use those gifts for His glory?